Board of Faith and Life announcement

The USMB Board of Faith and Life (BFL) will host a study conference in early 2013 focused on a review of two articles of the Confession of Faith: Article XII (The Society and State) and Article XIII (Peace and Nonresistance). Pastors, church leaders and others are invited to attend the event to be held Jan. 24-26, 2013, in Phoenix, Ariz.

"Presenters will help us discern what Jesus meant when he called us to peacemaking and how that applies to issues in the contemporary world, as well as what it means to be kingdom citizens above national citizens,” says BFL chair Larry Nikkel of Wichita, Kan. “A variety of perspectives will be presented in the hope that open dialog can help us all discern what God is calling us to believe and to practice."

Nikkel says, “We invite people to come with a commitment to listen as well as to speak. We want to covenant to listen well and to understand.”

“We live in a mission field and the spirit of Jesus is still transforming lives today,” says Ed Boschman, USMB executive director. “We will be telling stories of life transformation throughout Conection 2012. These testimonies—some live and others by video—will show the nitty-gritty process of spiritual birth and ongoing spiritual growth.”

Personal testimonies will be included during the Friday and Saturday morning sessions and integrated into the report from Mission USA, the USMB church planting and renewal ministry. Conection 2012 is the USMB biennial delegate convention to be held July 27-28 in Omaha, Neb.

The story of God’s transforming work in Omaha will be highlighted Friday and Saturday afternoons. Friday convention volunteers will serve Omaha’s downtown neighborhood under the direction of Stephen Stout, Good Neighbor Ministries (GNM) director and a member of Faith Bible Church. Bus tours of the five Omaha churches are planned for Saturday afternoon that will include history and information about the city and a testimony, video or presentation at each church site.

To learn more about Conection 2012 and to register, visit www.usmb.org/conection/2012

USMB report

Optimism for the future and excitement about potential church planting marked the annual convention of the Latin American Mennonite Brethren District Conference (LAMB) Feb. 3-5. LAMB is composed of eight mostly Spanish-speaking U.S. Mennonite Brethren congregations in extreme South Texas.

“There’s a growing spirit of confidence and optimism that they really can make a difference,” says Ed Boschman, USMB executive director who attended the convention.

The gathering began Feb. 3 with an abbreviated LEAD ONE leadership and development event at Jesus es mi Paz, Pharr, Texas, led by Boschman and Don Morris, director of Mission USA, the church planting and renewal arm of the USMB. About 45 LAMB leaders attended—nearly double the expected turnout—and the training was well-received.

Delegates and leaders attended to conference business Saturday morning, Feb. 4, at Templo Nueva Vida Community Church, Palmview, Texas. A new district budget includes support for USMB, delegates attending the USMB biennial convention and church planting.

“They are interested in planting churches,” says Morris, and are discussing a partnership between Mission USA and Mission (Texas) MB Church to establish an outpost on what’s known as the Seven Mile Road. In addition, Mission USA continues to work with Grulla (Texas) MB Church in outreach initiatives; part of their vision is to begin a multi-site church plant in nearby McAllen, Texas.

A worship celebration Saturday evening at La Joya (Texas) MB Church wrapped up the district gathering. A highlight of that celebration was a time of prayer and dedication for district pastors and leaders. Boschman prayed for pastors; Morris prayed for newly appointed district leadership (photo above). Moises Tagle (far left in photo) is the new district chair, replacing outgoing chair Miguel Flores. Aaron Hernandez (second from left) replaces Juan Garcia as vice-chair.

Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary

The 2012-13 academic school year will see two new opportunities available at Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary: a master of arts degree in ministry offered online and the marriage, family and children's counseling program offered at a Fresno Pacific University regional center. 

Online degree
Lynn Jost, FPU vice president and dean of Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary, is directing the creation of a two-step online program. First will come eight courses students can take for three units of credit each, or audit them. These courses will fulfill Mennonite Brethren denominational credentials for pastors. Part two will consist of making these courses part of a 39-unit master of arts degree in ministry.

All instruction will be geared to student needs.

 “The words that we’ve heard are that students want accessibility, affordability and accreditation,” Jost says. FPU is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Plans are to offer the first two courses in fall 2012 and two more the following spring.

“Anabaptist” and “evangelical” are not just historical terms referring to particular Christian groups and traditions, according to Jost. The university is affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren Church, but courses are open to everyone interested in a focus on faith in action that brings people together—conversion leads to discipleship, which happens in community and leads Christians to make peace between enemies. 

“Christians work together to carry out God’s purpose,” Jost says. “Reconciliation is part of the evangelistic mission.”

The first group of classes—MB The Old Testament for Today, MB The New Testament  for Today, Confessing Our Faith, The Mennonite Brethren Story, Mission of the Church, The Gospel and the Modern World, Ecclesiology and Discipleship and Ethics—will have a Mennonite Brethren denominational focus. The second group will look at Christian spirituality, pastoral life, congregational dynamics, biblical interpretation and world religions.

A team of 16 university faculty, teachers of similar courses elsewhere and people involved in ministry are designing the curriculum. “Their role is to see that the assignments are immediately practicable,” Jost said. 

Both sets of courses are partly funded by $500,000 from MBBS Inc.

The new program will join the two seminary classes already online: "Church and God’s Mission in the World," by Tim Geddert, professor of New Testament, and "Discipleship and Ethics," by Mark Baker, associate professor of mission and theology.

Potential master’s students are people from anywhere who are involved in ministry but can’t come to campus. Tuition will be similar to seminary programs, and financial aid will be available.

Counseling program expands

The Marriage, Family and Children’s Counseling (MFCC) program from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary is coming to Visalia in fall 2012—and the opportunities are wide open. 

“I’m excited,” says Program Director David Rose. “We’re going to do it well.”

“There has been a long history of demand for counseling the way we do it—Christ-centered—in the South Valley,” Rose says. 

Students from Visalia to Bakersfield already attend MFCC classes on the Fresno Pacific University main campus in Fresno, and the region has a shortage of mental health professionals.

In addition, several area agencies already offer FPU/FPBS students the practica and internships required for state licensing and are ready to do more, Rose said. Students must serve a total of 3,000 supervised hours; the practicum comes before graduation and takes care of 300-400 hours. The balance is served after graduation in the internship. 

“There are a lot of reasons to open a program in Visalia,” he adds.

MFCC is the first seminary program to be offered at one of FPU’s regional centers. In addition to Visalia, there are centers in North Fresno, Bakersfield and Merced.

The first group of 10 to15 students will start in August and one each year after that. Students wishing to finish the 65-unit program in 33 months, the shortest time possible, attend class two nights per week and take one or two weekend courses per semester as well as occasional online classes. Part-time options are also available.

Costs and financial aid are the same as at the Fresno program. Visalia students can take Fresno courses and vice versa, whatever best meets their schedules. 

“It is designed to interface well with our current program,” says Andy Johnson, director of seminary admissions.

A full-time program director will be located at the Visalia Center to advise students and teach some courses.

 Faculty will be a mix of those teaching in Fresno and Visalia-area professionals. 

“We’re able to be very particular about who our adjuncts are,” Rose says.

Students will come from everywhere: right out of college, beginning a second, or third, career and from many cultural and economic backgrounds. “We don’t have a typical student,” Rose says.

Successful MFCC candidates do share:

• A commitment to become an excellent counselor. “If you’re going to counsel in Christ’s name, you’d better do it well,” Rose says.
• A commitment to a Christ-centered education. “We integrate Jesus into our whole curriculum. He’s not just a unit on top,” he says.
• A sense of calling. “That’s why people come here—they’re coming to serve Christ, not just have a career,” Rose says.

Tabor College Information Services

Thanks to the generosity of Wilmer Harms and his wife, the late Esther Harms, of North Newton, Kan., a newhousing option will be available on the Tabor College Hillsboro campus in the fall of 2012. The Tabor College board of directors approved the building project at their board meeting held in Hillsboro, Kan., Feb. 20.

Harms, a former Tabor College student, earned degrees in medicine (1956) and ophthalmology (1968) and has practiced his entire life in the central Kansas and Harvey County area. The housing project, to be constructed at 218 S. Madison, west of Cedar Hall, will house 16 students.

Harms, a faithful supporter of Tabor College, has given regularly of his time, treasure and talents to the school. He is the founding chair of the board of the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies (1975). He is also member emeriti of the Tabor College Board of Directors, serving on the board from 1978-1996. He has  authored five books, and is also a dedicated student of Mennonite history, leading many educational tours to Russia.

This is not the first time that Tabor has been a recipient of generosity from the Harms’. They also have endowed student scholarship and have donated more than 600 volumes to the CMBS archives.

Wilmer and Ester’s son, Kevin and his wife Rebecca are also graduates of Tabor College.

“It is a wonderful tribute to the on-going relationship Wilmer and Esther have had through the decades with Tabor College,” says Ron Braun, vice president of advancement. “This housing unit comes at a time when Tabor College is experiencing record growth. Because of their generosity, more students will be able to be a part of the Tabor community.”

The facility is expected to be complete and ready for occupancy in the fall of 2012.

PHOTO:
Dr. Jules Glanzer, president of Tabor College, expresses his gratitude to Dr. Wilmer Harms for his generous gift to the school to provide additional student housing. The building project on campus will begin immediately, and the 16-student housing unit should be available for occupancy in the fall of 2012.

Pete Menjares, Ph.D., will be the 11th president of Fresno Pacific University (FPU). The FPU Board of Trustees voted to appoint Menjares during regular board meetings March 2-3.

"The Board of Trustees is pleased to appoint Dr. Pete Menjares as president of Fresno Pacific University. Pete has exhibited strength of character, grace, dignity and humility throughout the search process," said John Thiesen, board chair and co-chair of the presidential search committee. "His leadership abilities and experience and his deep spiritual commitments will serve him well as he leads this Christian university.”

“It is a tremendous honor to be selected as the 11thpresident of Fresno Pacific University and I am looking forward with great anticipation to serving this vibrant and dedicated academic community,” said Menjares, who received his Ph. D. in education: language, literacy and learning, from the University of Southern California in 1998. His master of arts in education: teaching and curriculum, is from CaliforniaState University, Dominguez Hills, and his bachelor of arts in religion in pastoral ministries is from Vanguard University. For the last 16 years, Menjares has been a teacher and administrator at Biola University, most recently serving as Vice Provostfor Faculty Development andAcademic Effectiveness.

Menjares has also served with the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities as a conference presenter and consultant on intercultural competencies. Currently he is a senior fellow in the Leadership Development Institute, a program dedicated to helping emerging leaders explore their vocational call in CCCU institutions. Menjares has also been a public school teacher, a licensed minister and a senior pastor. He and his wife, Virginia, are natives and lifelong residents of the Los Angeles area.

The presidential search committee included faculty, staff, students, board members and community representatives. Executive search firm the Dingman Company facilitated the search process for the university. Four final candidates were presented to the search committee for interviews. The committee then recommended Menjares to the board as a finalist, and the board invited Pete and Virginia to the university in February for three days of meetings with members of the FPU community, who provided feedback to the board.

The selection process was rigorous and inclusive. “This is a wonderful end to a thorough, wide-ranging and prayerful search for FPU’s next president. We are thankful for all who participated and for all who have prayed for the university this past nine months as we engaged in the search,” said Larry Martens, presidential search co-chair and university trustee.

Menjares takes over from D. Merrill Ewert, who will retire effective July 31, 2012, after 10 years as president. “I have come to know and deeply appreciate Pete through our shared participation in CCCU. He has the respect of leaders throughout Christian higher education and I am confident he is the one to lead Fresno Pacific to a whole new level of success,” Ewert said.

ICOMB news story

Mennonite Brethren from around the globe are invited to join in prayer March 11 for victims, survivors and all affected by the devastating March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami that left some 20,000 people dead or missing. An estimated 23,000 Japanese are still living in "rescue" camps. 

The Japan MB Conference was planted out of relief efforts after the war-time man-made disaster of Hiroshima. Then it grew after a natural disaster when relief efforts touched new areas and churches were planted. 

"Pray that our involvement after this disaster may have similar results – of renewal of the established churches and the extension of the good news of Jesus Christ among those who have lost so much," says ICOMB interim executive secretary David Wiebe of Canada.

The time of prayer was initiated by Yamanota Fukuin Church, a Brethren in Christ congregation in Japan. The congregation invites others to pray with them for five minutes beginning at 11:45 a.m. on Sunday, March 11. “There is a time difference between each country,” notes the letter. “Thus our prayers from 11:45 will turn around the earth in 24 hours in the morning in each country, connecting our prayers like a huge ring on the earth.”

March 11, 2011, an earthquake of magnitude 9.0 now named Tohoku, struck the northeast coast of Japan, causing tsunamis of more than 10 meters.

Mennonite World Conference, the global fellowship of Anabaptists, is mobilizing its members to participate in this prayer event. The Japanese MB Conference, through the International Community of Mennonite Brethren, the global fellowship of Mennonite Brethren congregations, is asking the global MB family to join them in prayer. 

The Japan Mennonite Fellowship formed the East Japan Great Disaster Relief Assistance Committee formed in May 2011. The original prayer request was conveyed by Takanori Sasaki, chair of the Japan Mennonite Fellowship.

"The time will come when few people remember drinking from a colored water fountain or boarding a segregated bus," President Obama said during the ground breaking ceremony. "That's why what we build here won't just be an achievement for our time, it will be a monument for all time."

Among the individuals highlighted in the new museum will be 83-year-old blues guitarist Clyde “Pop” Ferguson, a frequent guest musician in the churches of the North Carolina District. He and his son, Clyde Jr., visit churches and schools teaching about the music of African-American culture. Clyde is a member of the USMB Leadership Board.

As one of the last musicians of his era, Pop’s stories and recordings will be part of the National Museum of African American History. CL “Fast Chat” reporter Kathy Heinrichs Wiest talked with Pop for the December 2010/January 2011 issue.

How long have you been playing music?

I’ve been playing since I was 10. Back in those days I didn’t have any toys to play with. I just had a tire. My father got me a guitar somehow.

Who did you play for?

At first I played for my dog and two cats. My daddy was a preacher so my start was in church.

Where did your music take you after you grew up?

In the church it was all gospel. After I came home from World War 2 I started running the roads as a blues man, but I never forgot my upbringing in the church.

You’re back in the church now. How is church playing different?

Church people enjoy the old-fashioned gospel style and you don’t put on so much antics. In the juke joints you let loose.

Why did the Smithsonian honor you?

I don’t know. I was just playing, having fun and got a letter one day saying I was going to be put in the Smithsonian.

MCC launching $500,000 Middle East crisis appeal

By Gladys Terichow for Mennonite Central Committee

Alarmed by the continuing violence in Syria and consistent reports that unrest is likely to escalate and spread to neighbouring countries in the coming months, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) has begun preparing for a humanitarian crisis in the region.

About 20,000 Syrians have already fled to Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan and the flow of people is increasing, says Rick Janzen, a director of MCC’s programs in the Middle East.

MCC has launched a $500,000 Middle East Crisis appeal to assist partner organizations as they provide humanitarian aid and build peace. At this point MCC’s response includes:

1. Emergency assistance – food, medicine and non-food items for Syrians affected by violence and in need of basic supplies.
2. Relief kits – people in the U.S. and Canada are encouraged to assemble kits and drop them off at their nearest MCC office or warehouse.
3. Building peace – grassroots, community efforts that encourage conflict prevention.

Janzen, who travels often to the Middle East and visited Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Palestine in early February, says he was startled by the heightened fears of sectarian violence and political unrest across the Middle East.

“Everywhere we went, we heard outlooks for the future that were devastating and ominous,” says Janzen, who lives in Winnipeg, Man.  “Now is the time to put our peace theology to work; our partners are calling on us to support their efforts at conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

“One of our partners from Lebanon looked us squarely in the eye and asked: ‘Are you peace ambassadors or not? If you are, this is the time to act.’”

A significant part of MCC’s response will assist partner organizations in Lebanon to expand efforts that strengthen conflict prevention strategies and disaster preparedness. This includes training women peacebuilders, media training, encouraging dialogue among young leaders, trauma training and more.

MCC has been working in the Middle East for more than 60 years and currently supports peace and development work in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Palestine and Israel.

Donations are welcome and should be marked Middle East Crisis. For more information about assembling relief kits, call your nearest MCC office or visit mcc.org/kits/relief. Go to mcc.org/middleeastcrisis to hear a podcast with MCC staff reflecting on what they are hearing from MCC partners, and to see a prayer compiled from recent prayers by church leaders in Syria and Lebanon.

Mennonite Central Committee: Relief, development and peace in the name of Christ

Gladys Terichow is a writer for MCC Canada.

Photo: In a more peaceful time, orphans Alla and Marah look out over the city of Homs, Syria. Their orphanage, a ministry of the Syrian Orthodox Church and supported by MCC’s Global Family education sponsorship program, has now moved to a safer location. (MCC Photo/Ben Younan)

Francis Chan believes in just trying things—in life, in ministry and in front of 1,300 pastors, lay church leaders and nonprofit agency staff members.

“I look back at my life and all the great things that happened were things that just happened. I was just trying things,” the author of Crazy Love, founding pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, Calif., and co-founder of Eternity Bible College said at the 2012 Central Valley Ministry Forum, organized by Fresno Pacific University. The event took place February 16 on the main campus in Fresno. The Pacific District Conference was among the sponsors of the event. 

To accommodate by far the largest audience to attend the annual Ministry Forum since it began in 2004, Chan spoke from the middle of the Special Events Center gymnasium. The square stage set with only a café table and two chairs was perfect for Chan’s enthusiastic, conversational style. Screens above the stage captured his animated facial expressions and often expansive gestures as Chan’s voice rose with laughter or fell to a hush.

Despite notes, Chan was clearly open to the inspiration of the moment, even to admitting discomfort. “You’re sitting at tables and going to taking notes,” he said with a laugh. “That means I have to have something to say.”

What Chan said in “Living by Faith,” the first of the day-long event’s three sessions, was that to follow Christ is to trust him, and him alone, even in the middle of every action. “My whole point right now—and which wasn’t the point of my sermon—is that I don’t know what I’m doing,” he said.

Instead, Chan figures God looks down and says, “Francis, you have no idea what I have planned for you.”
Among the things God has so far planned for Chan have been quitting work three weeks after his marriage to start a church, starting a Bible college over a burrito lunch, selling his home and traveling the world with his family while wife Lisa was pregnant with their fifth child, hosting a steak-and-lobster feast for the poor in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District and starting a seven-week “Taste of God” series where 50 Christians meet with 50 nonbelievers. In its fifth week as he spoke, Chan reported “Taste of God” had six baptisms in one week; due to space problems, those baptisms took place in a wading pool atop a building.

What stops other from doing what Chan does? Forgetting to trust God and be courageous. “If you’re going to try things, you’re going to fail,” he said. The risk of failure is that criticism comes fast and hurtful, especially in the digital age. “Every time I make a mistake somebody tweets it,” he said.

But there’s also a risk in not failing. “Once something is successful, people try to protect it,” he said.

Either one, “can take away the courage the Holy Spirit gives you,” Chan said. The answer is to ask yourself: “Am I letting expectations get to me? My reputation get to me? Or am I being real before God?”

USMB press release

“It seems every pastor desires an effective prayer life,” says Ed Boschman, a pastor himself who serves as the U.S. Mennonite Brethren executive director. “But sometimes we struggle to find joy in our prayer life. Jim will help us get there.”

Boschman is referring to James Nicodem, author of Prayer Coach and pastor of Christ Community Church in the greater Chicago area, who will serve as keynote speaker for the USMB National Pastors’ Conference July 25-26, 2012. Nicodem, an enthusiastic and compelling communicator, will speak three times and host a question and answer session.

Pastoral staff members from all U.S. Mennonite Brethren churches will meet together for two days of fellowship and encouragement prior to Conection 2012, the biennial USMB convention. Times of prayer will be interspersed throughout the conference. Optional workshops followed by free time for families to enjoy the sites of Omaha are being planned for Thursday afternoon.

The National Pastors’ Conference will be held at Embassy Suites Old Market in Omaha, Neb., which is also the site of Conection 2012. Conection 2012 begins Friday morning and concludes Saturday evening, July 27-28. Guest speakers will be comedian Kenn Kington and Alex Kendrick, a lead actor in the recently released movie Courageous.  The hit fatherhood film launched retail sales nationwide Jan. 17 and debuted as the top-selling DVD in the country, surpassing major Hollywood hits, including Oscar® nominees, The Descendants and The Ides of March.

Online registration for both Conection 2012 and the National Pastors Conference will open March 1. Registration fees include all meals and convention/conference activities. 

During September and October, heavy monsoon rains in Cambodia caused the deaths of more than 240 people and displaced as many as 32,000. Flooding also caused extensive damage in the neighboring countries of Thailand and Vietnam.

In Cambodia, rice fields in several entire provinces were destroyed after being underwater for more than four weeks. The loss of the crop not only affects the farmers, but also the people who work in the fields and sell produce at roadside stands. Grazing areas for animals have been washed away, forcing people to spend money they don’t have to feed animals.

Some people in Prey Veng province, one of the poorest, most-populated and hardest-hit areas in the country, are being forced to sell off their assets and use what little saving they have to buy food, clean water and medicine and to pay school fees.

MCC is responding to targeted areas of need in Prey Veng with $30,000 for rice distribution, clean drinking water, school repairs and education.

“It is a quiet, slow-moving disaster now. It will hit the poor hard, and it will take most people years to rebuild,” says Michael Bade, a Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) worker in Cambodia. He and his spouse, Lisa Bade, are from Seattle, Wash. “Fruit trees are dead, houses are damaged, irrigation canals and ponds collapsed – infrastructure that took a decade to build up after the last big flood will have to be repaired and replaced in many areas.”

In partnership with Angkearhdei Primary School, where MCC has a Global Family education sponsorship program, MCC is making structural and furniture repairs to the school damaged by flood waters that rose halfway up the first floor of the two-story building. In addition, MCC is providing daily breakfast and clean water at the school to keep students attending. An additional stipend is being paid to teachers so they will make up four to six weeks of class time lost to the flooding.

In early December, Red Cross Cambodia distributed 261 water filters, purchased by MCC, to families whose land is still surrounded by flood waters. The problem is acute because the same water used as a latrine, is used for washing and drinking, Michael Bade says.

Dirty water, sick animals used for food and other unhealthy eating conditions are causing health issues in other parts of Prey Veng too, so MCC’s response includes cleaning wells, distributing hygiene kits and training teachers at Angkearhdei about hygiene and sanitation practices.

Through local partner Love Cambodia, MCC will deliver two-week supplies of rice to more than 800 hard-hit families in Prey Veng Province. The province was 90 percent covered by flooding for over 30 days and some districts lost between 70 and 94 percent of their rice crop.  Bade says the crop loss is especially problematic for day laborers who typically make enough to eat that day and yet have been without work for more than 45 days now.

To see images and photos of flooding in Cambodia, visit MCC Cambodia’s blog at cambodiamcc.wordpress.com/.

by Sheldon C. Good for Meetinghouse

Nearly two years after a devastating earthquake struck Haiti, about $9 million of Mennonite Central Committee’s $16 million disaster response funds have been spent and allocated on projects to revitalize Haitians’ lives. MCC is a Mennonite agency for relief, development and peace.

The remaining $7 million, including funding from the Canadian government, will be dispersed over the next three years. Funds from Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will be used to develop an agriculture trade school in Desarmes and a village and livelihoods co-op for 100 displaced families in Caberet.

Susanne Brown, MCC Haiti disaster response team coordinator, says the initial country-wide response focused on material relief and stimulating the economy through cash transfers, cash-for-work programs and recapitalization of small businesses.

“In the very beginning, we spent about $1.6 million on food, water and material aid, more than almost anything else, but now have shifted to projects that are more sustainable,” she says.

About half of MCC’s 50 initial disaster response projects are completed. MCC’s long-term disaster response includes business training, housing repairs and education. For example, MCC, along with Haitian partner Ecumenical Foundation for Peace and Justice, trains professional masons. Pictured is Samuel Zami, a graduate of the masonry program, standing outside a three-story building in Port-au-Prince where he supervised masonry work. Zami also attended a hazard reduction engineering seminar sponsored by MCC as part of its ongoing earthquake relief.

After repairing more than 200 houses for people with disabilities living in tent camps, MCC is opening up the housing repairs to a broader group of participants and shifting to owner-driven housing. Education projects benefit street children, restavec(unpaid worker) children, university students and agricultural and construction trades participants. 

As the disaster response continues, MCC continues to work with Haitian partners, Haitian and international policymakers, and global constituents. For more, see www.mcc.org.

Pete Menjares, Ph.D., was approved by the board January 27 on recommendation of the presidential search committee. He currently serves as Vice Provostfor Faculty Development andAcademic Effectiveness at Biola University.

Menjares received his Ph. D. in education:language, literacy and learning, fromthe University of Southern California in 1998. His master of arts in education: teaching and curriculum, is from CaliforniaState University,Dominguez Hills, and his bachelor of arts in religion in pastoral ministries is from VanguardUniversity.

Along with his wife, Virginia, Menjares will visit the Fresno Pacific University main campus February 14-16, where the couple will be introduced to faculty, staff, students and others in a variety of formats. After input from the campus, the board will make the final decision for the appointment of thepresident at its regular board meeting March2-3.

The decision to invite Menjares as a candidate was unanimous. “The board of trustees is deeply grateful to the members of the search committee for their diligence and dedication in carrying out thesearch process," says Larry Martens, co-chair of the search committee. "The committee’s careful and prayerful process, together with the work of consultant, Bruce Dingman, resulted in the assembly of a pool ofhighly qualifiedpresidential candidates.” 

The search committee included faculty, staff, students, board members and community representatives. John Thiesen, FPU board chair, is the other co-chair. 

The next president of FPU will replace D. Merrill Ewert, who will retire effective July 31, 2012 after a10-year tenure. Ewert made his announcement in June, 2011.

Mennonite World Conference

Rafael Erasmo Arevalo, a Mennonite pastor in Honduras, was attacked and killed Sunday, Jan. 22, after leading an evening worship service. Arevalo, from Santa Rosa de Copán, drove about 20 kilometres north to Veracruz, where he had led worship services for the past 10 years.

According to a report in a Honduran newspaper, La Prensa, Arevalo parked his car at the home of a Veracruz city councilor and then walked to the church. When he returned to his car after the worship service, he was attacked by “unknown persons.” His body was not discovered until the next morning, about five kilometers from the scene of the attack.

Arevalo’s funeral was held  January 24 in his home community of Santa Rosa de Copan.

“We ask your prayers for his wife, children and church,” writes Erlinda Robelo, executive director of MAMA (Mujeres Amigas/Women Friends Miles Apart), an education and service agency of the Iglesia Evangélica Menonita Hondureña (Evangelical Mennonite Church of Honduras). “The church laments his premature death.”

In a January 24 email, Robelo reported that the police still had no details of who was responsible for the murder. She indicated that Arevalo, affectionately called Mito, will be remembered for “his great spirit of service to the church and its neighbours.”

January 22 was World Fellowship Sunday, a day in which churches related to Mennonite World Conference are invited to celebrate their connection to a global faith family. Iglesia Evangélica Menonita Hondureña is one of two MWC member churches in Honduras.

Fresno Pacific University press release

Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary reports 24 new students registered for the spring 2012 semester, the largest spring enrollment increase in recent years.

The number of new students continues to climb at the seminary, following the merger with Fresno Pacific University in June 2010. Seminary enrollment jumped by 24 percent right after the merger and has continued to increase steadily. 

“Although Fresno Pacific University has not reached the official 16-day report for this semester, these preliminary spring enrollment numbers bring this academic year’s total of new seminary students to 59,” says Andy Johnson, director of seminary enrollment. 

While the counseling degree program continues to expand dramatically, 13 of the new students have entered the Master of Divinity degree program to pursue pastoral ministry.

Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary is empowering leaders and transforming lives through a variety of graduate degree programs, including the Master of Divinity (M. Div.)—the industry standard for pastoral preparation—and master of arts degrees in marriage, family and child counseling (MFCC) and a variety of ministry-related fields. Approximately 130 students are currently taking courses at Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary. Program expansion online and to the FPU Visalia (CA) regional campus is slated for fall 2012.

MB Foundation (MBF) is the USMB stewardship agency, yet the organization assists a variety of individuals in carrying out their charitable giving—most recently J. Lamar and Mildred Dunn, alumni and long-time supporters of Sterling College, a Christian liberal arts college located in Sterling, Kan.

The Dunns have donated $1.3 million from their estate to MB Foundation for the benefit of Sterling College. MB Foundation will manage the quasi-endowment for the benefit of Sterling College for the next 20 years, per the terms of the gift outlined in their estate plan. Following this time, Sterling’s trustees will decide how to use the unrestricted funds.

“I’m very pleased that the Dunn’s recognized the many benefits of working with MB Foundation,” says Jon C. Wiebe, president and CEO of MB Foundation. “While I didn’t know them personally, I assume they recognized our financial strength and expertise in processing charitable gifts. We will steward this asset carefully, on behalf of the Dunn’s, for the benefit of Sterling College.”

Before Lamar passed away in 2001 and Mildred in 2010, they made plans to leave a large portion of their estate for the benefit of Sterling College, where they served throughout their lifetimes. Their generosity will result in a charitable gift of a little more than $1.3 million.

“Sterling College is blessed to have alumni like the Dunns. It was obvious how much they cared about the college,” says President Paul J. Maurer. “They fell in love with Sterling College as students and that love manifested itself through lifelong dedication to their alma mater through the giving of their time, resources and now as their final act, a profoundly thoughtful estate gift that will impact the college for decades to come.”

MB Foundation corporate headquarters are located in Hillsboro, Kan. An office in Fresno, Calif., serves West Coast constituents. —MBF press release

By Connie Faber, CL Editor

The start of a new year is a natural time to think back on the significant and memorable events of the old year and to anticipate what’s ahead in the new. So here are the top 2011 events as covered in print or online by the Christian Leader and a taste of what is on the horizon for 2012.

The Top 10: 2011

1. 2011 was the Year of Name Changes. Mennonite Brethren Mission and Service International became MB Mission in an effort to clarify and simplify its name. Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in the U.S. was renamed Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary to mark its new status as a professional school within Fresno Pacific University. And the USMB staff uniformly adopted “USMB” as the working name of the United States Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, a rather long and unwieldy moniker.

2. The number of USMB staff positions almost doubled in 2011—from five to nine. Optimism is high that the additional staff will result in extra funding due to the addition of a director of development, Derk Madden, and stronger connections thanks to the social media coordinator—first Justin Salters and now Myra Holmes—and a Slavic ministries director, Aleks Borisov.

3. If you pay attention to CL ads or attended a 2011 district convention, you know that MB Foundation is promoting “first fruits” giving. This biblical principal teaches that we are to worship God by giving him our first and best and by managing all the rest in ways to honor and glorify him. Resource packets have been mailed to all churches. 

4. Even though it cost more than some youth groups could afford and featured a keynote speaker (Shane Claiborne) that some thought too controversial, the 2011 USMB National Youth Convention held in San Antonio was the largest gathering of U.S. Mennonite Brethren. The initial evaluation sheets completed by students and sponsors gave the every-four-year-event high marks.

5. History was made when Mennonite World Conference, a global fellowship of Anabaptist Christians, appointed Colombian Mennonite Brethren pastor and educator Cesar Garcia as its new general secretary. Garcia is the first MWC general secretary from the global South (and the first MB to serve in this position).

6. Mennonite Brethren around the world supported the Japan MB Conference in prayer when the biggest earthquake to hit Japan since records began struck the northeast coast March 11, causing a massive tsunami to sweep inland devouring everything and everybody in its path, including a nuclear power plant that led to another crisis. Japan is home to 28 MB congregations and a seminary.

7. This year will be remembered for historic flooding across the country, including Minot, N.D., where a June flood destroyed the meeting place of Bible Fellowship Church. Mennonite Disaster Service has partnered with the MB congregation to repair the church building so that it can host MDS volunteers over the next two years.

8. Mennonite Brethren around the globe celebrated the life and ministry of Henry J. Schmidt, President Emeritus of MB Biblical Seminary, who died Feb. 8, at the age of 70.

9. Mennonite Brethren educators from 30 institutions of high learning from 17 countries on five continents met together for a week of singing, devotions, plenary addresses, round-table discussions, workshops and prayer. The CL provided online coverage of the June 2011 International Committee Of Mennonite Brethren Higher Education Consultation.

10. After leading Fresno Pacific University for nine years, D. Merrill Ewert announced he that will retire as president effective July 31, 2012. Ewert’s leadership will be missed, as he has served the university and the MB church well during his tenure. The direction in which Ewert’s successor, yet to be announced, will take the university is one story the CL will be following in 2012.

Looking ahead to 2012

1. The shift in leadership at FPU is among several changes on the USMB education landscape that the CL will be watching in 2012. Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary will continue to develop its distance-learning program, while Tabor College will unveil its new graduate theological education endeavors made possible by a gift of $250,000 from USMB. Ministry Quest, formerly a ministry of the seminary and now a program of Tabor College, will begin a new season of preparing high school students for ministry leadership.

2. Can U.S. Mennonite Brethren plant six new churches in 2012 and establish 60 new churches in the next decade? That’s the plan and the CL will keep you updated on our progress. Mission USA, the USMB church planting and renewal ministry, is leading the effort and for the next six months USMB staff have committed to doing all they can personally and within their areas of responsibility to meet the goal. Join us in prayer that God will honor this desire to see lives and families changed.

3. U.S. Mennonite Brethren are invited to travel to Omaha, Neb., this summer for the USMB biennial delegate convention, Conection 2012. The planning team hopes that the opportunity to hear stories of God’s transformation among USMB churches and partner ministries and to be entertained and inspired during evening programs will be an attractive combination. The CL will be filing electronic on-site reports July 25-28 and full reports in the Sept/Oct issue and online.

4. Delegates to Conection 2012 will be asked to enact a new formula by which congregations financially support USMB. The proportional giving approach asks all congregations to give a first fruits offering of 2.5% to USMB. The claim that the current “norms” model is broken is supported by the low percentage (less than 10%) of churches that contributed to USMB ministries during the 2010-11 fiscal year. CL convention coverage will report on the response to this proposal.

5. Mennonite Central Committee’s supporting denominations, including USMB, approved a plan, to take effect in 2012, in which its U.S. and Canadian national entities will jointly administer international programs and the U.S.-Canadian bi-national structure will end. Watch for CL updates on this process via C-Link.

6. And what is C-Link? A free electronic biweekly newsletter published by the CL that will debut in early spring. C-Link will provide timely news updates from USMB and its partner agencies, including MB Mission, MB Foundation, Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary, Tabor College and Fresno Pacific University. We anticipate that subscription sign-up will begin in February.

Interested in other reviews of the events, people and debates of the past year that have shaped or will significantly shape evangelical and Mennonite life, thought and mission? Check out the Christianity Today list and the Mennonite Weekly Review article. 

by Phyllis Pellman Good

This week Larry Miller, Mennonite World Conference (MWC) executive secretary, will pass the baton to hissuccessor, Cesar Garcia, a Mennonite Brethren church leader from Colombia. The shift in leadership of this global fellowship of Anabaptist will take place in Bogotá, Colombia, this weekend as MWC officers and several staff meet in Bogotá to formalize the transition to new MWC headquarters in that city. Congregations of the three MWC member churches in Colombia will host a Dec. 29 farewell event for out-going Miller and his wife Eleanor. January 1 they will officially welcome García.

Mennonite World Conference and the Mennonite congregation in Strasbourg, France, where the Millers are members, will commission Miller Jan. 22 for his new role as Secretary of the Global Christian Forum, an initiative that seeks to bring leaders of all Christian churches in the world together to foster mutual respect and to address common challenges. In May, at the triennial gathering of MWC’s General Council, between 200 and 300 delegates are expected to be present to thank Miller for his years of MWC leadership and to bless García as he settles into the role.

Miller recently talked with Phyllis Pellman Good about his 20-plus years of service with MWC at the request of Meetinghouse, an association of North American Mennonite editors. Pellman Good, Lancaster, Penn., is a communications consultant with Mennonite World Conference.

Larry Miller remembers one moment clearly when, as a 38-year-old, he was weighing whether or not to accept the nomination to lead Mennonite World Conference. The year was 1988, 23 years ago, and he was sitting in a university library in Strasbourg, France, where he lived.

“I was working on my dissertation, and I looked up and noticed a book by one of my professors on a shelf. I pulled it down. It was dusty, and no one had ever checked it out. I suddenly realized that I was poised to write those kinds of books!”

Miller was finishing his doctorate in New Testament and was under consideration for a graduate-level teaching position in that field in the Protestant faculty at the University of Strasbourg. But something unexpected had come his way. The European Mennonite churches had together nominated him to be Executive Secretary of Mennonite World Conference.

Larry and his wife, Eleanor, had worked with international students in Paris (for European Mennonites and Mennonite Board of Missions of North America) and in peace activities and inter-church relations (for Mennonite Central Committee). “I was working internationally and ecumenically, and my interest and experience in those areas was growing. But did Mennonite World Conference—which most people understood to be those spectacular, once-every-six-year assemblies—fit my gifts and personality?

“My growing interest in MWC surprised people who knew me, including Eleanor! I sensed, however, that this might be a call to receive life through the global church.”

Miller became Executive Secretary during the closing event of the Winnipeg MWC assembly in 1990. The setting, the music, the ceremony had a touch of the spectacular, but Miller and the organization faced a frightening deficit as the week-long meeting ended.

Today, Miller reflects, “While MWC needed to deal with that reality, and we were able to, I never felt pressure to ‘succeed’ by building a large institution. Instead, the focus was on helping this little boat—MWC—to catch the wind in its sails. The wind was clearly blowing, so the task was to adjust the sails to catch the wind.”

Miller senses that he has served Anabaptists around the world during a time of fundamental change. “My primary calling has been to amplify the voice of the Global South and its rising. That voice, that capacity, needs more room and opportunity. I’ve often felt like John the Baptist, that something greater is coming.”

A big risk

In January 1997, the first Mennonite World Conference assembly under Larry Miller’s leadership took place in central Kolkata, (India) inside tents on a sprawling school campus. The daring move stood in stark contrast to the just-prior assembly that had been held in a well-appointed convention center in Winnipeg.

“We had potential disasters everywhere,” Miller reflects about the Kokata event. “Before I joined MWC, groundwork had been laid for the assembly to go the diplomatic, aristocratic quarter of New Delhi. That location didn’t seem right to me.

“There was no model for holding a global assembly in Kolkata. It was counter-cultural. No other world communion had ever gone to Kolkata for its world gathering. So we had to create ours from scratch.
“Would people come? Could we pull off such a complex event there? Would it work financially? Would attendees be overwhelmed by the city itself?”

The national Indian churches that are members of MWC, along with national MWC staff, worked diligently and with extraordinary perseverance to host a world gathering of some 4,500 Mennonites and Brethren in Christ.

The bold decision and the stark contrast to past gatherings cleared a path for new aspects to be born as part of the assembly program. For the first time there was a Global Church Village, a venue where delegates learned about the life of churches in each continental region through food and cultural displays, and Assembly Gathered/Assembly Scattered. In fact, these elements worked so well that they have continued in subsequent MWC assemblies.

“My surprise,” says Miller now, “is that no part of the Kolkata gathering ended in disaster. And because we had a good, positive experience, the event allowed Mennonite World Conference to turn a corner. It permitted the reorientation of MWC. I view it as a watershed, make-or-break moment.”

The second assembly that Miller and his team shepherded was held in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Despite the country’s tremulously uncertain political, economic and food situations, the Brethren in Christ churches provided extraordinary hospitality.

“Zimbabwe raised many of the same questions as Kolkata did. Was it courageous or stupid to bring thousands of people there? But we had survived Kolkata, so even a modest failure in Zimbabwe wouldn’t have wrecked MWC.”

“The church is both local and global”

Perhaps one of Larry Miller’s greatest gifts to Mennonites and Brethren in Christ around the world has been his belief, and consequent actions, that the church is never just the local congregation, or the denomination, or the world body.

“The church is both local and ‘global.’ It always has been and will always be. The special foundational task for MWC during these years has been to recover this New Testament view of the church. MWC needs to continue to make the global church real, to have it be seen, felt, touched, experienced.”

Gradually but persistently, Miller has created ways to make this daily reality apparent. He helped to conceive of, and then create, the Global Church Sharing Fund. (MWC member churches in the South apply for and receive funds for their ministries, as an expression of Jubilee redistribution.) He guided the development of MWC’s statement of “Shared Convictions,” brief paragraphs documenting the core beliefs that the scattered Anabaptist churches and fellowships claim. 

He has overseen the establishment of four commissions under the General Council of MWC, each composed of members from the five continental regions, each pledged to fostering greater faithfulness by MWC member churches and their support of each other. (The four are the Deacons, Faith and Life, Mission and Peace Commissions.)

“At the same time,” he states emphatically, “the global church without the local church is not fully the church either. One without the other is heresy.”

Miller quickly moves to another theme which has characterized his leadership of MWC. “Even as we’ve begun to grasp the wonder of what it means to belong to our particular global family of faith, we are still a fragment by ourselves. What is emerging is our increasing connectedness to other Christian world communions. We must see other global Christian churches as part of the whole church universal to which we also belong. We must live within this whole church, or we won’t live.

“While the giftedness of our Anabaptist community is being acknowledged by other world communions, the limitedness of it is also. The same is true of these other churches. Together, we’re recognizing our need of each other,” says Miller.

The struggles and the gifts

What difficulties did Miller experience as MWC General Secretary?

“I’ve lived a constant series of good-byes,” he says. “And while I’ve had so many points of contact, they are almost all distant.” The MWC office in Strasbourg, where Miller is based, includes an average of only four administrative staff. All other staff and executive leadership are scattered around the world.

“The work is sometimes heavy and lonely,” he reflects. “But it is always invigorating! This has been a place of life for me, a gift of life.”

What anxieties does Miller have for Mennonite World Conference, which he acknowledges is an organization with uncertainty, heaviness, and fragility?

“We are in a historic transition moment,” offers Miller. “There is decline in the churches of the North. But when you belong to a global body of faith, there’s always a part that’s experiencing new life and a vision that can draw all of us forward. The center of gravity of the global church has shifted South. We must continue to adjust our sails accordingly to catch this new wind of the Spirit.

“With gratitude and joy, I imagine César García (MWC’s new General Secretary-elect), and those with him, picking up the vision for the future. I look forward to seeing how they incarnate it. My experience of working with César has been among my top joys, among my very best MWC experiences. He and his team will live into the future from their own worlds and contexts, going forward with the Spirit. It is for them to imagine.”

The officers of Mennonite World Conference, plus a few staff and representatives of the four North American MWC member churches, gathered Aug. 1, 2011 around a big table in Grantham, Penn. It was the kick-off for organizing the planning of the Assembly 16 to be held in 2015 in Harrisburg, Penn.

Danisa Ndlovu, president of MWC, opened the meeting with a devotional, acknowledging two reasons for anxiety that day: the start of planning for a new assembly, and César García’s first official day as General Secretary-Elect.

When it was Miller’s turn to address the group, he said, “I can attest, after 22 years with Mennonite World Conference, that it is not a place of anxiety, but a place that gives life!”

PHOTOS

At the 2011 Executive Committee meetings in Taiwan, Cisca Mawangu Ibanda of Congo (DRC) presented carved animals to César García (r) and Larry Miller. More than curios, said Ibanda, the animals represent qualities important for their service to MWC. Miller holds his elephant with its trunk down “in a peaceful position.” García, she explained, holds a giraffe with its neck fully extended so that he can see “the landscape of the future.” The transition between the two general secretaries occurred between August and December as Garcia moved his family home to Bogotá, Colombia (the site of the new MWC head office) after studies in the US and traveled with Miller in Europe and North America. Photo: Merle Good

The Millers and their children (now married) in Kolkata in 1997, with the parents-in-law of Mennonite Brethren Indian church leader Menno Joel (r). Left to right: Anne-Marie Miller Blaise; Elisabeth Miller Sommers; Menno’s parents-in-law, Larry, Alexandre Miller, Eleanor, and Menno Joel. Photo courtesy of Eleanor Miller

Larry Miller’s tenure as General Secretary was marked by his gift of encouragement among other global leaders. Here, in 1991, he stands behind his “big brothers”— Mesach Krisetya (l) of Indonesia, who was to become MWC President in 1997, and Reg Toews of Canada, then serving as Treasurer. Photo: Eleanor Miller

Miller speaks at the 2009 Executive Committee meetings in Paraguay. To his left are Danisa Ndlovu, incoming MWC president that year, and Nancy Heisey, who was completing her term as president. Photo: Merle Good

MBF news story

College Community Church MB of Clovis, Calif., partnered with MB Foundation to complete a successful financial and spiritual capital campaign. The campaign had a financial goal of raising $1,000,000 to renovate the church campus, including a new fellowship hall and new sanctuary. 

The congregation responded with cash pledges of over $1,160,000 to be collected over three years. The pledge total represents 4 times the church’s annual budget and exceeds the average capital campaign output of 1.5 to 3 times a church’s annual budget. 

The campaign also focused on growing as generous givers. Pastor Bill Braun says, “We did wonder, in advance, how the congregation would respond to this concentrated focus on stewardship. They responded well.”

MB Foundation offers capital campaign services in partnership with the fundraising firm Dickerson & Associates out of Littleton, Colo. Dr. Clark Dickerson served as the lead consultant on the campaign drawing from his 34 years of experience in fund raising. Dickerson says one of the keys to a successful campaign is communicating the mission of the campaign and helping people understand what will be accomplished to bless others and/or expand the kingdom. 

“A campaign is asking people to reach beyond current giving to do something special, but it must be conducted in a manner in which people feel comfortable, not forced and they see the end result as something they would like to accomplish for kingdom growth” says Dickerson. “The congregation needs to sense that this is 'their campaign' and it fits who they are and how they do things.”

College Community Church MB took six weeks to conduct a feasibility study designed to gauge the congregation’s interest in giving to the vision of the church and ultimately to a building project that would one day expand their existing worship facility. 

“The pre-campaign feasibility study was considered a necessity and was a primary piece of information that moved us forward to the campaign” says Braun. “In fact, in terms of price, it was the best investment we made. We continue to refer to and use the information gathered in other parts of church life.” 

The response was favorable and the church proceeded to construct a formal capital campaign.

A campaign theme of Forward in Faith was chosen and a campaign strategy was built to fit CCCMB. The campaign focused on three biblical principles: God is the owner of all (Ps. 24:1); we are stewards of God’s wealth (Matt. 25:14-30);  and we are blessed to bless others (Gal. 6:10). In an effort to teach what the Bible has to say about money, the principles were incorporated into the campaign print materials, face to face visits and Sunday school lessons and children stories.

College Community Church MB continues to receive pledges in the form of cash and will proceed with the expansion plans when a pre-determined amount of cash is on hand. The lessons learned about biblical stewardship have also begun to take hold in the congregation and will continue to pay dividends over time.

 “Overall, I think we have learned something about finances that has taken us beyond a day-to-day, short term view and has motivated us to think in much larger strokes” says Braun. “This isn’t just about tithing; this is about the core ideas that God is the owner of all, we are stewards not owners, and we are blessed to bless others.”

MBF press release

MB Foundation (MBF), headquartered in Hillsboro, Kan., has announced the addition of Garvie Schmidt, formerly of Enid, Okla., to the staff as Planned Giving Advisor, following the retirement of Jack Braun, Hillsboro, Kan.

Braun retired as Planned Giving Advisor after 9 ½ years of service to MB Foundation and the Mennonite Brethren community. “When Jack transitioned to MB Foundation after 36 years at Tabor College, I knew he would immediately be productive. I asked him to give us at least 5 years, and he gave us 9 ½,” says Jon Wiebe, President & CEO. “Jack’s impact on this ministry and our MB community will not be known for many years, but he will be sorely missed. I wish him and Laverna the very best in retirement.”

Schmidt joined the MBF team on November 14, after serving in the pastorate for the last 28 years, the last 15 assenior pastor at Enid MB Church, Enid, Okla. Schmidt graduated from Tabor College and attended MB Biblical Seminary, graduating with a Master of Divinity in 1983.

As a Planned Giving Advisor, Schmidt will encourage charitable giving through current giving, estate planning and lifetime gift plans. Plus, he will provide MBF programs and services to individuals and ministries throughout the USB Central and Southern Districts.

“Garvie brings a heart for ministry & discipleship to our team along with a love for MB ministry," says Wiebe. "We look forward to him using his gifts and passions to help individuals and ministries meet their financial and charitable objectives.” 

Schmidt has enjoyed serving in the pastorate and now looks forward to serving with MBF in its ministry of generosity. “I am excited about joining MB Foundation," says Schmidt. "I look forward to helping those in the MB community with financial stewardship solutions.”

Schmidt is married to Diane (Wiens), formerly of Hillsboro. They have two children Nathan who works at Central Christian School in Hutchinson, Kan., and Heidi who is a missionary candidate with MB Mission to Peru.

by Connie Faber

By day, delegates to Conection 2012 will be immersed in stories of God’s transforming work among U.S. Mennonite Brethren churches and the ministries with which we partner. By night they will be entertained and inspired by a comedian and a movie producer/actor.

Friday night delegates will laugh with Kenn Kington, a comedian who entertained pastors at the 2006 National Pastors’ Conference. Kington is known for his ability to blend sidesplitting comedy with life-changing content.  He is the creator of The Ultimate Comedy Theater and has appeared on Comedy Central and numerous other cable networks. 

Saturday evening Alex Kendrick, associate pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga., will talk about his work as co-founder of Sherwood Pictures and as writer, director and actor for four Sherwood Pictures movies, including the newly released Courageous. Kendrick will also speak about living as faithful and authentic followers of Jesus.

Conection 2012 is the U.S. Mennonite Brethren biennial convention, to be held July 27-28 in Omaha, Neb. The convention theme, "Be One," highlights the national conference mission to work together to see lives transformed by Jesus Christ. Morning sessions will feature national, binational and global Mennonite Brethren ministries while afternoon activities will focus on the ministry of Mennonite Brethren in the greater Omaha area. 

Conection 2012 will take place at Embassy Suites Old Market, in the heart of the city's historic district. Activities for children and teens are being planned. Delegates and guests are invited to arrive Thursday evening as the convention begins Friday morning.  

The national convention is preceded July 26-27 by the National Pastors' Conference, which will also take place at Embassy Suites Old Market. Pastor and writer James Nicodem is the resource speaker. 

By Connie Faber

When 86 delegates and guests met Nov. 3-5 at Grace Bible Church in Gettysburg, SD, for the 101st CentralDistrict Conference (CDC) convention, church planting took center stage. That’s because church planting is a high priority among the 26 Mennonite Brethren congregations in Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

“In this part of the country, we have a different definition of ‘small’ and ‘large’ in terms of our towns and cities,” said Chuck Todd, CDC chair during his opening remarks. “Regardless of the definition, there are still people who need Christ.”

Play your role

That evening at the church planting banquet, Rod Anderson, CDC church planter and pastor, reminded delegates that “you wouldn’t be here if someone before you didn’t pray and wasn’t faithful. Everyone has a role to play in the success of your church.”

Anderson went on to say that because people come to Christ in a variety of ways, it is important to “go to work and let God do his work.”

“You are important,” said Anderson. “Some are called to plant, some to nourish and some to work in the field. Are you doing your part?”

Delegates did their part the next day to ensure that CDC church planting efforts will continue to move forward when they passed a budget of $238,000, 60 percent of which is for church planting. These funds will assist four congregations and provide financial assistance for Hispanic pastors to attend church planting resource events.

District partnerships nurture growth
Stony Brook Church, a church plant in Millard, Neb., that began meeting Dec. 1, and Christ Community Church, a five-year-old church in Sioux Falls that continues to experience growth, will receive the majority of the church planting funds. Funds are also designated for Iglesia Manantial Agua Viva, a Hispanic church plant in Omaha, Neb., and Lincoln Hills Bible Church, a congregation in Sioux Falls that is using district funds to hire an additional pastoral staff member to provide leadership in worship and children’s ministries.

Church planting funds will also help Hispanic pastors attend church planting resource events. “We would like help with theological resources in Spanish,” said Daniel Rodriguez, pastor of Iglesia Agua Viva, Omaha.
Stories at the Friday night banquet from two Omaha area church planters—Chad Stoner of Stony Brook Church and Jose Guerra of Iglesia Manantial de Agua Viva—emphasized the unique ways in which CDC congregations support and encourage one another.

The Manantial congregation moved three times this past year and now is sharing facilities with Faith Bible Church, Guerra said. “Iglesia (Agua Viva) was planted in Faith Bible and grew up,” said Guerra. “Now we are at Faith Bible and I pray that we will also grow and mature.”

Stoner’s congregation has a similar history. Millard Bible Church planted Shadow Lake Church and now Shadow Lake is planting Stony Brook in the building that housed the Millard congregation. Recognizing the role that Faith Bible and other CDC congregations have played in planting churches, Stoner referred to the rich history of Salem MB Church of Bridgewater, SD. This congregation, said Stoner, has helped plant a dozen churches.

“Salem, you are crazy,” said Stoner. “God, make us look like Salem. Make us look like Faith Bible.”

On the offensive
Beginning with the opening session Thursday evening provided by MB Mission, delegates and guests were encouraged to celebrate and be part of God’s work in the Plains States and around the world. MB Mission is the North American Mennonite Brethren global mission agency.

“If your heart is stirred for something more for the kingdom, than we’ve done what we came to do,” said Brent Warkentin, MB Mission board member and the evening speaker, pictured left.

“The call to go is for all of us,” said N**l, said a new MB Mission worker who told his story. “There are degrees (of involvement) on a sliding scales for all of us, but we are all called…. God’s vision for the world is so much bigger than mine.”

Warkentin challenged the audience to be followers of Jesus Christ who are on the offensive—to attack the gates of hell with their battering logs—and reported on his recent trip to China and Mongolia. Throughout the weekend, speakers referred back to Warkentin’s closing challenge: “It would be a good thing if we’d wake up tomorrow morning and pick up our log and ask God to show us a gate for the day. And at the end of the day, if we would put the log by the nightstand and hold our damaged hands up as trophies for God’s glory.”

Be grounded; be relevant
CDC District Minister Roger Engbrecht (below) was the convention speaker and addressed the convention theme: “In a changing world: be grounded…be relevant.” He spoke about being grounded in God’s Word and willing to be different in one’s effort to make a difference.

“To make a difference in our world we need to get a grip on the Word of God,” Engbrecht said Friday morning. “We can’t be salt and light if we don’t spend time in the Word. We need to live (God’s Word) and communicate it.”

Saturday morning Engbrecht used the story of Noah (Genesis 6) to illustrate how Christians can make a difference in their communities. “If you want to make a difference, you need to dare to be different…. What do you see around you that needs to be changed? The price of change is that someone needs to dare to be different.” Engbrecht concluded with a list of practical ways in which Christians can influence their communities. Engbrecht’s passion for harmony in church families and the need for creativity were evident as he spoke.

Topping his list was being a peacemaker. “As brothers and sisters in Christ, we have to learn to get along,” he said. “We argue about the stupidest things. It grieves my heart that people fight about insignificant things. Are you a divisive person in your church? Do you insist on your own way?”

Engbrecht encouraged his listeners to show a genuine interest in people, to be creative as congregations and individuals in influencing culture and to invite others to church. “We are no longer our father’s MB church. We need to reach lost people and move forward.”

In other business
A band comprised of CDC worship leaders and pastors led singing throughout the weekend. CDC district chair Chuck Todd and Dick Nickel, vice chair and pastor of the host congregation, moderated the business sessions.

Representatives from seven Mennonite Brethren ministries and one inter-Mennonite agency reported, including Ed Boschman, U.S. Mennonite Brethren executive director. Boschman recognized the contributions of Central District volunteers on national boards and reviewed the ways in which the national conference serves local churches.

Boschman also spoke of the importance of healthy relationships between the national conference and district conferences, local congregations and individuals. He said the decision to have Shane Claiborne speak at the 2011 National Youth Conference and a variety of issues surrounding the denominational seminary resulted in frustration and disappointment for some people. “I regret all of these things,” said Boschman. “I want us to be in right relationships. We’ve broken some trust and I want to gain it back,” he said.

In addition to accepting a new budget, delegates heard oral reports from District Minister Engbrecht and six CDC committees and elected new committee members. Duane Deckert, pastor of Bible Fellowship Church in Minot, ND., gave an update on the work of Mennonite Disaster Service in assisting in flood clean up in their community.

PHOTO RIGHT: New CDC pastors Esther and Rick Eshbaugh (center) and Stephen and Mary K Humber (right center) were blessed in prayer by CDC district minister Roger Engbrecht, retired CDC pastor Jim Weems (left) and Dick Nickel (right), CDC moderator.

PHOTO TOP: Delegates and guests enjoyed tasty home cooked meals prepared by their hosts at Grace Bible Church of Gettysburg, SD.  

by Myra Holmes

When delegates of the Pacific District Conference (PDC) gathered for their semiannual convention Nov. 4-5 in Portland, Ore., they did business. But the emphasis and the feel was that of family. Some 84 delegates from the westernmost branch of the U.S. Mennonite Brethren, with churches in California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Utah, swapped stories of God at work, cheered each other on and garnered support for the work ahead.

“We have important work to do together—the work of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords,” said district minister Gary Wall in his report.

The convention was hosted by Trinity Church, Portland, Ore., a vibrant church plant that exemplifies the kind of stories celebrated. Trinity launched just a year ago as a partnership with the PDC and Mission USA, the church planting arm of the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (USMB). The congregation, which meets on the campus of Western Seminary, now has nearly 100 in attendance, reflects a community-appropriate diversity and is already self-sustaining.

More stories were celebrated during the Friday evening home missions banquet—clearly the emotional centerpiece of the weekend. Church planters in Portland; Salt Lake City, Utah; Clovis, Calif.; and Selma, Calif., spoke passionately of people whose lives have been changed because of Christ through MB church plants. Brad Klassen, pastor of Copper Hills Community Church, Phoenix, Ariz., introduced the next PDC church plant. This effort, led by Gavin Linderman and out of Copper Hills, is already reaching a younger generation. Gary Wall then unashamedly issued a call for support, asking for generous donations for home missions; the delegates responded with an offering of $6,425.00.

Again and again as stories were told, speakers referred to both local congregations and the larger church as family. The convention itself was another example of what one speaker called “relational glue,” with valuable conversations taking place in hallways, between sessions and over meals.

In spite of the talk about family from the podium, from the floor and in the hallways, key family members were conspicuously absent. The PDC is a district of ethnic diversity; 32 of the district’s 114 churches are Hispanic and 28 are Slavic. Yet the vast majority of those attending the convention—those who gathered around this family table—were Anglo, as pointed out by Juan Wall, representing the Hispanic Council. 

“We want to be one conference,” Wall said in his report, noting that Hispanic leaders are working on building bridges.

Desire to strengthen relationships threaded through reports from various boards. PDC Board of Faith and Life chair Rod Suess talked about pastoral retreats designed to strengthen relationships, while Jordan Ringhofer, representing the Board of Youth Ministries, told about efforts to gather youth pastors and students in order to build relationships. Rick Bartlett and Dina Gonzales-Pina, representing the Board of Leadership Development, likewise talked about the importance of relationships as the district seeks to call out and give opportunities to young leaders.

Delegates also heard oral reports from the District Minister and Associate District Minister, Executive Board, Treasurer, Board of Trustees, Hispanic Leadership Training and Hispanic Council, as well as from a number of guests. They convened a brief meeting of the Fresno Pacific Corporation, the shareholders of Fresno Pacific University, the MB school headquartered in Fresno, Calif., and heard reports from the school. Special thanks was given to FPU President D. Merrill Ewert, who will retire in July 2012.

Each day’s sessions began with a challenge from Scripture, the foundation of this family’s values. Art Azurdia, pastor of Trinity Church, set the stage with a reminder from Hebrews 1:1-3 of the supremacy of Christ. It was a fitting start for a convention themed, “Honor and glory to the King.” Terry Brensinger, the new professor of pastoral theology at Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary (FPBS), started Saturday’s sessions with a devotional from Colossians 1:1-3, challenging attendees to choose to focus on the eternal.

In a new move, PDC offered three Saturday afternoon workshops to equip church leaders, centered on the themes of church, work and money. Christine Wall, representing MB Foundation, addressed encouraging generosity in challenging economic times; Norm Thiesen, professor of pastoral counseling at Western Seminary and a leader at Trinity Church, discussed a Christian theology of work; and Terry Brensinger of FPBS explored the nature of the church in his popular workshop.

In other business, delegates affirmed new leaders, approved a fairly flat budget for the coming year, and recognized two new PDC congregations: Eagles Harbor Community Church, Clovis, Calif., and Trinity Church. 

PHOTO: District moderator Skip Suess officially welcomes two congregations as free-standing members of the PDC: Trinity Church, Portland, Ore. (representatives on left), and Eagles Harbor Community Church, Clovis, Calif. (representatives on right).

From a report by Chris Eidse

Excitement is in the air for North Carolina Mennonite Brethren churches these days. This excitement was evident as the district celebrated their 111thannual convention Sept. 16-18. This year's convention had the largest attendance in recent history. The theme of “"Purposefully Walking Together"” from Amos 3:3 was evident in the unified spirit of the weekend.  

The 2011 district gathering was held at The Life Center in Lenoir, NC. The new multipurpose building that was completed a year ago was the perfect place to host the event. The weekend began with a Friday evening youth rally with special speaker Rev. Doug Cuperson. The youth stayed at the church for night and participated in youth seminars on Saturday morning on the topics of making good decisions led by Fran Propst and the results of making bad decisions led by Jonathan Dula. The new addition of a youth component to the weekend convention went over well and the leaders were excited about duplicating the youth event again during the winter.

All six NCMB congregations reported Saturday morning, with all churches reporting either maintained attendance or growth. Several churches have recently completed building renovations and expansions thanks to an increase in numbers.

Delegates were able of select from five seminars following the reports. Ed Boschman, USMB Conference executive director, spoke on leadership; Bruce Jost of MB Foundation spoke on the power of first fruits giving; Jon Pritchard of MB Mission taught on marriage and the family; Stephanie Banner spoke about being single in ministry; and NCDC district moderator Terry Hunt led a seminar on the Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith. The day ended with an opportunity for pastors and other guests to attend a great football game at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.

A record-breaking crowd of 278 attended the Sunday morning worship service. A combined choir and “Acts of Praise” began the service with a passionate time of worship. Ed Boschman brought greetings on behalf of the USMB Conference. 

Rev. District Moderator Terry Hunt encouraged the six churches to remain faithful to teaching the good news of Jesus Christ. Hunt also spoke about the new tithing model to the USMB Conference, the switch to bi-annual NCDC convention schedule and reassigned all the pastors to their current churches. He also reminded the congregation to give God the glory and to thank the USMB Conference, Mission USA and MB Foundation for partneringwith the North Carolina District in completing the new district building.

Wendel Loewen, Tabor College Bible department member and director of Ministry Quest, wrapped up the weekend with a memorable and humorous keynote address.

While there were minimal decisions on the agenda when the U.S. Conference of MB Churches (USMB) Leadership Board met Oct. 8-10 in Denver, Colo., board members and staff left believing that the conference could well be on the verge of significant growth.

This sense of anticipation can be traced to the addition of three USMB staff positions, including a director of development, and the vision staff members have for their areas of responsibility, including Mission USA director Don Morris’ goal to plant six new Mennonite Brethren churches in 2012.

“We are daring to ask God for significant growth in our kingdom mission impact,” Ed Boschman, USMB executive director writes in an e-mail sent to USMB pastors summarizing the meetings. “We envision that happening as we ask God for his favor in planting six new churches this year … and partner with our existing churches to ramp up their effectiveness and impact….We anticipate growing our relationship with our Slavic congregations in a significant way in the next years and calling them into domestic mission with us. And so that we will have church pastors and staff for this enlarged ministry vision, we are enthused about the development of dozens of new leaders through Ministry Quest, our colleges and our seminary.”

Boschman set the stage Friday night for the weekend discussions when he asked the board and staff to imagine how communities would be transformed if 35,000 U.S. Mennonite Brethren would love God, love God’s church and love the world. He challenged the board and staff to be cohesive in their commitment to the USMB vision and mission, to communicate that vision and mission clearly and to remember that “action trumps everything.”

Staff reports from seven USMB staff members dominated the board’s agenda. Over the past 18 months theLeadership Board has affirmed the addition of 3 new national conference staff positions: social media coordinator, Slavic ministries director and director of development. This is the first board meeting at which all three positions were filled. Board members gathered around staff members at different points during the meeting to pray for them and their area of responsibility.  The group praying for Aleksandr Borisov is pictured right. 

The Leadership Board heard from Aleksandr Borisov, Spokane, Wash., who began working Aug. 15 as Slavic ministries director; Derk Madden, Collinsville, Okla., who began Sept. 15 as the director of development; and Myra Holmes, Denver, Colo., who began Sept. 16 as social media coordinator, replacing Justin Salters who first held the position. While Borisov, Madden and Holmes, all working part-time in their respective positions, reported that they are still orienting themselves to their new responsibilities, each staff member spoke enthusiastically about their vision for ministry. 

Mission USA director Don Morris recently returned from a three-month sabbatical. His enthusiasm for God’s desire that his followers’ dream big and Morris’ conviction that God will bless the planting of new churches was contagious. The Leadership Board affirmed Morris’ vision to fund and plant six new Mennonite Brethren churches in 2012. (Pictured left: Morris, second from left, and Borisov, center, meet with Leadership Board members in a subcommittee meeting.)

In other business, Boschman updated the Leadership Board on plans to initiate a new church-giving plan for funding the national conference and highlighted Ministry Quest, a program designed to prepare high school students for fulltime ministry. Boschman briefly reported on a variety of meetings and events he has attended on behalf of USMB.

CL editor Connie Faber and Donna Sullivan, USMB administrative assistant, reported on their areas of responsibility. Jon Wiebe, MB Foundation CEO and president, spoke to the board about ways in which MBF is prepared to work with potential donors who want to financially assist USMB.

The Leadership Board took action on two matters. They asked Donna Sullivan, USMB event coordinator, to explore sites for Conection 2014 and approved a revised budget based on prior authorization of new staff positions. The board discussed how best to select its appointees to the Fresno Pacific University Board of Trustees as part of the seminary’s move to FPU. The board also talked about the upcoming convention, Conection 2012, and the need to provide appropriate resources to staff members as they communicate the USMB’s new vision for growth.

Canadian Conference of MB Churches Communications

Mennonite Brethren leaders from across Canada met in Kitchener, Ont., Oct. 27–29, for a biennial study concerning the importance of Jesus' atonement and how Mennonite Brethren understand it and tell it to others. The study conference is rooted in the Anabaptist tradition of seeking Bible-based clarity and meaning for contemporary times. 

“If we have a weak understanding of atonement, we cannot have a strong faith because we have little to be thankful for,” says Willy Reimer, executive director of the Canadian Conference of MB Churches (CCMBC). “We need to appreciate the fullness of what Jesus has done.”

One hundred fifty-nine delegates attended the conference, meeting in formal plenary sessions, workshops and Bible study groups. “We have found there are things we say differently from one another," says Brian Cooper, chair of the Board of Faith and Life (BFL), which convened the meeting. "The tone of the conversation has risen and fallen. We have sharpened one another.” 

Cooper says the conference was not intended as a vehicle to produce a definitive statement on the atonement, but as a process within the national MB church family.

The basis for all three plenary studies was one verse: 1 Corinthians 15:3 – “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.”

Pierre Gilbert of Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg, spoke on the spiritual fall of humankind, centering on the account of Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis. It was given to Adam and Eve alone, he said, to make the choice to obey God or seek their own will. The human race was then bound by their decision. We were “not meant to die,” but Adam and Eve’s choice “forever locked humanity into the sphere of ‘the curse.’”

Paul Cumin, pastor at Pemberton (B.C.) Christian Fellowship, said God’s creation was a work of perfection, seriously disrupted by Adam and Eve’s choice. The root of sin is the desire to be more like God than he created us to be, he said. “Ultimately sin is whatever turns us inward and away from others, on whom our being depends,” he said. “When we sin, we don’t just become less good. We become less, period.”

Erwin Penner, professor emeritus at Toronto’s Tyndale University College and Seminary, said the cross of Christ reveals the nature of God, demonstrates his grace, and accomplishes his reconciling work – and all three aspects are foundational. He said Jesus’ “horrid, cruel, and sadistic” execution on the cross shows God’s self-giving nature. 

“Did God abuse his son?” Penner asked. “No,…the violence of the cross is the violence of self-sacrifice” He cited Jesus’ declaration that he and the Father are one (John 10:30). Through the resurrection of Jesus, death itself is defeated, reversing the curse we read about in Genesis, and raising us back to life.

Discussion concerning the atonement has been vigorous in MB circles for some time. Last year, the B.C. Conference held a discussion day on the topic. BCMB leadership found agreement on the statement “Christ is our substitute,” but noted three different paradigms MBs typically use to more fully understand Jesus’ work on the cross: 1) penal substitutionary atonement as the controlling biblical image; 2) Christus Victoras the controlling biblical image; 3) multiple complementary images, like a diamond.

Vice-chair Terrance Froese says the study conference created a “growing spirit of unity” around the debate.

 Willy Reimer says a breadth of views was evident at the meeting, and adds, “I don’t know if we’ll get closer in opinion.” He says the pastoral training system, in the long term, may give some issues sharper definition within the national conference.

In his opening remarks, Reimer called on MB leaders to guard against judgmentalism and regionalism. He called on Mennonite Brethren to take a Canadian view and be committed to east-west alignments as Canadian Mennonite Brethren participate together in mission.

The conference also took time to pay tribute to Éric Wingender, a Quebec MB leader and significant proponent of the continuing need for a Quebec evangelical seminary (ETEM), who died suddenly at 54.

MB Mission

TREK is a short term missions program run by MB Mission, the Mennonite Brethren North American global mission agency. Participants spend two months in Abbotsford, BC,  training and preparing to join long-term church planting teams around the world for eight months. 

The vision of TREK is to be disciples who make disciples. The focus of the training phase of the program is growing as a follower of Jesus and then during the on-field assignment to serve whole heartedly in love. This year, teams will be serving alongside MB Mission long-term missionaries in Thailand, Mexico and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Left to Right (Back Row):
Zac Remboldt (Hillsboro, KS), Mark Zukowski (Abbotsford, BC), Austin Malnis (White Rock, BC), Jean-Daniel Veer (Montreal, QU), Ryan Siemens (Saskatoon, SK), Kevin Neslage (Wichita, KS), Sean Fast (Niagara on the Lake, ON), John Henry Piers (Chilliwack, BC)

Left to Right (Front Row):
Leah Remboldt (Hillsboro, KS), Sarah Jean Rhoads (Fresno, CA), Rachel Unger (Ferndale, WA), Emily Malnis (White Rock, BC), Jill Ramer (Elmira, ON), Jackie Borkowski (Winnipeg, MB), Aimee Smith (Prince George, BC), Marina Doane (Halifax, NS), Monica Manderson (Langley, BC), Deanna Dyck (Niagara on the Lake, ON), Bonnie Quinn (Coaldale, AB), Maggie Cornish (Hillsboro, KS)

Tabor College Communications

For the first time since the mid-70s, Tabor College, the Mennonite Brethren college located in Hillsboro, Kan.,  is going against the trend of many schools of the region by holding the line on the cost of tuition for the 2012-13 school year. 

Recognizing that the on-going economic downturn is making it challenging for families to afford college, Tabor College President Dr. Jules Glanzer announced Nov. 7 that Tabor College will freeze the cost of tuition.

“We have heard from our current students and their families that these tumultuous economic times have made it difficult for them to be able to afford college. We want to help those students who have chosen Tabor College to be able to fulfill their desire of a college education,” he says. “We want to make it clear that our students are important to us and we want to be compassionately responsive to their needs during this period of wide-spread economic uncertainty.”

There will be necessary increase in room and board in the coming year to cover fixed costs related to dining and housing that have increased.

Rusty Allen, vice-president of enrollment management and intercollegiate athletics, also recognizes the economic struggle. “There has been a growing gap between what families can afford to pay toward tuition and final tuition expenses after the various forms of financial aid are exhausted,” Allen says. “At least for one year, we are glad to take steps that do not increase that gap for students who wish to attend Tabor College. This should have a positive impact for new and returning students alike.”

By Jessica Vix

It is October 23 and I’m sitting in my dorm room at Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan. Almost exactly four months ago, on June 22, I was sitting at a stoplight in my hometown of Minot, ND, listening to the sound of sirens ringing through the air. These sirens warned residents of the Mouse River Valley to evacuate and signaled the beginning of the worst flooding in Minot’s history. That night, I went home and wrote “A Quiet Disaster,” my attempt at organizing my thoughts into words. As I read it today, all of the memories come rushing back. Little did I know then what the next months would bring.

For nearly a week straight, we had the television on all day. The images were almost too incredible to believe. The fair grounds, the baseball fields, the schools, the churches and the homes—so many homes. Everything sitting in water. In my essay, I wrote of people who would be out of their homes for weeks. However, those weeks would eventually turn into months. The city of Minot was heartbroken.

The week that people were allowed back into the flood zone, I was in Minnesota with friends. I sat in our motel room and looked at picture after picture of houses still filled with the putrid brown floodwater. The night that I got back to Minot, my parents took me to our church (Bible Fellowship Church). From the outside, the building looked the same as when I left except for the line of grunge that marked how high the water had reached. It was nearly to the door handles. The curb was lined with everything from books to tables to toys from the nursery, everything deemed irreconcilable.

I stepped inside, my parents behind me, and immediately was hit with a smell that I will never forget. I could hardly recognize what I was seeing—not pews or pianos or hymnals. Instead, the carpet was covered with a layer of slime and littered with pieces of the walls. This was my beautiful church. The enormity of what had happened hit me hard, and I broke down.

Flood cleanup is hands-down the hardest thing I’ve ever done. The first day was hot and humid (by North Dakota standards) and overcast. I was dressed in a pair of ratty jeans and an old t-shirt, ready for a long day. All of us who were working that day donned masks as protection against the mold that had grown up the walls. I was put to work with a crowbar, but it wasn’t just the physical labor that made it so hard.

The first time that the crowbar smashed through the wet sheetrock, I almost had to stop. I stared at the hole I had made and felt like crying again. There was something deeply painful about purposefully destroying the walls of my church. In my mind I knew that the building itself was worthless—that the value of the church was its people—but my heart was still struggling.

We carried out countless loads of debris and dumped them into my dad’s grain truck to be hauled away. I was sweaty and covered with dirt and bits of damp sheetrock and insulation. The mask was scratchy and made it hard to breath. I finally stepped outside and pulled it off so I could take in some fresh air. My grandpa’s pickup bed was loaded with a few shelves that had been untouched by the water. They were a few of the only things that had been saved. As I stood there, smelling the all-too-familiar scent of mildew and mold wafting out of the church, it suddenly began to sprinkle. Then it began to pour.

We attempted to cover the shelves but ran out of blankets. I stepped back inside and just watched as the broken, crumbling pews sitting on the curb once again soaked up water. And I wondered. Why did God let this happen?

Suddenly the words of a song from Tenth Avenue North popped into my head.

“One tear in the driving rain, one voice in a sea of pain,
Could the maker of the stars hear the sound of my breaking heart?
One life, that’s all I am. Right now I can barely stand.
If you’re everything You say You are
Would You come close and hold my heart?”

I miss Minot. I feel disconnected and sometimes I forget for days at a time about the ongoing struggle to restore what was lost. When I return home in December for Christmas break, the first thing I want to do, after hugging my family, is go to my church. I want to walk through the bare rooms and be able to know that things are getting better.

God has a plan. I don’t understand why he allowed my church to flood. I don’t understand why he allowed thousands of people to lose their homes. I don’t understand why he allowed so much pain and devastation in my city. I don’t understand why he couldn’t have just held back the water. All I really know for sure is that he has a plan.

And that’s all I need.

Jessica Vix is a freshman at Tabor College. Follow this link to her first essay.