Annual convention calls out the combines
“Heartbeat for Harvesting,” 63rd convention of Saskatchewan MB churches
All in the family
____________________________________________________________________
“Heartbeat for Harvesting,” 63rd convention of Saskatchewan MB churches
Harvest was the watchword and prayer a hallmark at the 63rd convention of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, held Mar. 13–14 in Saskatoon. Conference minister Ralph Gliege and Harvest Saskatchewan director and national church health associate Dwayne Barkman co-chaired the weekend of stories and reports, as the Saskatchewan family of churches laughed and learned together.
Vibrant young church plant, Faith River Christian Fellowship, hosted the gathering at which each of the province’s 29 churches was represented. This record was accompanied by attendance numbers that exceeded expectations. Pastor Andrew Fehr said, as the newest church in the conference, they felt like children “inviting their parents over for the first time.”
For more than a decade, convention themes have been moving toward harvesting: “planted to produce” from 1993–1997 through “faithfulness” in 2000–2002 to “partnership with purpose” in 2005–2006. The 2009 theme, “Heartbeat for Harvesting” called churches to action. “God is at work,” said Gliege. “When he seems to not be working, it’s probably because we’ve failed to recognize it.”
Project Reach Your World
One way the conference supports harvest activities is through Project Reach Your World, a fund available to churches for a new outreach initiative. Blaine Lake used this opportunity to put on “A Night in Bethlehem” Christmas program. The interactive walk through a first-century marketplace, ending with an encounter with a (real) baby in a manger, attracted the largest turnout in Blaine Lake’s history of Christmas programs, despite it being one of the coldest nights of the year.
Terry Rapsey reported congregational involvement from all ages was high and attendees included people never seen in the church before. The community gave positive feedback alongside demand for and offers to volunteer at a repeat performance.
The Saskatchewan conference also supports internships. Briercrest graduate Matt Redstone reflected on his valuable experience interning with Darren Holland at Philadelphia MB near Watrous, Sask. “It’s a blessing to apply what you’ve learned when you come out of Bible school,” Redstone said. Contrary to expectations, “I learned pastoring is not the easy job.”
MB Mission and Service International (MBMSI) is also developing leaders from Saskatchewan. Three young men currently at MBMSI’s Missionary Training Institute shared their excitement over God’s call to politically and religiously sensitive countries in Asia. Matt Braun asked for prayer as he and his family move into a country to “re-dig” spiritual wells, and “see people and passion raised again.” Dave Berg prayed for a posture of humility, a willingness to ask what the Spirit of God is doing. Luke Heidebrecht spoke of his desire to explore mission in an integrated sense, including social needs.
“It’s important to tap shoulders, not just hand out money,” said MBMSI regional mobilizer Lloyd Letkeman. Leaders must be discerned, then discipled, he said.
Healthier churches
To become a healthier church and regain a clear sense of purpose, Hope Fellowship Church in Saskatoon embarked on the ReFocusing process.
Hope Fellowship was the first church in Saskatchewan to go through the process, and pastor Terry Froese said he “felt like a guinea pig,” alongside Stephane Rhéaume of Quebec and Barkman, church health associates who were learning on the job with Dave Jackson, national church health team leader.
“First you think of all the nice things, then some of the pain goes up [on the church history timeline],” said Froese. “It tells you the values you lived out with your money and time.” Despite some brutal honesty, members left the ReFocusing summit feeling encouraged, he said, and the church is looking forward to the next stages of discerning.
“I see you are a group that likes to pray,” observed MCC presenter Claire Ewert Fisher. That churches are praying was reflected in the convention presentations. A “life group” at West Portal went through prayer training with Lloyd and Carol Letkeman of MBMSI. Now, not only do they see prayer, and their city, in a new way but they have planned a short-term mission trip to Austria, largely to pray. Participant Tim Vellacott “got his socks blown off” by the experience of prayer-walking through his community in subzero temperatures. Vellacott is also part of the Harvest Saskatchewan team to coordinate prayer walks and encourage listening prayer.
Moderator Ron Dyck chaired the agency reports and business session Saturday. Clarence Peters gave the board of faith and life report on behalf of Tony Martens, indicating the board continues to wrestle with the issue of ordination. Redberry Bible Camp, MB Biblical Seminary, the Canadian conference, Mennonite Central Committee, Bethany College, and Canadian Bible Society gave reports bursting with enthusiasm for what God is doing in their agencies. Rick Schellenberg, Bethany College president, offered a guiding question: “How can we position ourselves in front of God to catch his wind in our sails?”
Business session
The Saskatchewan conference has a significant financial surplus this year, news that generated spending suggestions from the floor. Dyck cautioned careful stewardship, however, with humble awareness that the funds became available through the pain of church closures. “Let’s use [the money] where the Spirit of God pushes us,” he said.
A historic joint commissioning of Dwayne Barkman for ministry under both the provincial and national conferences closed the day on Saturday.
The convention was dismissed with a prayer for “eyes to see, to multiply your harvest.”
Gliege’s exhortation from Friday night’s session was an appropriate call to action for the breadbasket province: “It’s time to start the combines and move into the fields.” —KB
____________________________________________________________________
All in the family
Gift giving and a birthday celebration were part of the family-style atmosphere that generally characterizes Saskatchewan conventions.
At the close of Friday’s session, executive secretary Lucille Wall brought out a cake to celebrate long-serving conference minister Ralph Gliege’s 60th birthday.
Saturday, Gliege awarded moderator Ron Dyck a personalized toque knitted by Erna Janzen, who does the same for every new pastor to the conference. Janzen and her husband Archie were also
recognized for their years of service and continuing ministry after the closure of Arelee MB Church.
Bivocational church planter Rob Kroeker (Pierceland Community Church) received a baby outfit for his newborn daughter. Septuagenarian Adeline Sawatsky knits an outfit for all Saskatchewan pastors’ newborns, and makes countless school kits for MCC and Operation Christmas Child boxes for Samaritan’s Purse. —KB
All in the family
____________________________________________________________________
“Heartbeat for Harvesting,” 63rd convention of Saskatchewan MB churches
Harvest was the watchword and prayer a hallmark at the 63rd convention of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, held Mar. 13–14 in Saskatoon. Conference minister Ralph Gliege and Harvest Saskatchewan director and national church health associate Dwayne Barkman co-chaired the weekend of stories and reports, as the Saskatchewan family of churches laughed and learned together.
 Delegates sat around tables in the cozy sanctuary of Faith River
Community Church, Saskatoon. |
Vibrant young church plant, Faith River Christian Fellowship, hosted the gathering at which each of the province’s 29 churches was represented. This record was accompanied by attendance numbers that exceeded expectations. Pastor Andrew Fehr said, as the newest church in the conference, they felt like children “inviting their parents over for the first time.”
For more than a decade, convention themes have been moving toward harvesting: “planted to produce” from 1993–1997 through “faithfulness” in 2000–2002 to “partnership with purpose” in 2005–2006. The 2009 theme, “Heartbeat for Harvesting” called churches to action. “God is at work,” said Gliege. “When he seems to not be working, it’s probably because we’ve failed to recognize it.”
Project Reach Your World
One way the conference supports harvest activities is through Project Reach Your World, a fund available to churches for a new outreach initiative. Blaine Lake used this opportunity to put on “A Night in Bethlehem” Christmas program. The interactive walk through a first-century marketplace, ending with an encounter with a (real) baby in a manger, attracted the largest turnout in Blaine Lake’s history of Christmas programs, despite it being one of the coldest nights of the year.
Terry Rapsey reported congregational involvement from all ages was high and attendees included people never seen in the church before. The community gave positive feedback alongside demand for and offers to volunteer at a repeat performance.
 Darren Holland, pastor at Philadephia MB, Watrous, Sask., shared about mentoring Matt Redstone.
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MB Mission and Service International (MBMSI) is also developing leaders from Saskatchewan. Three young men currently at MBMSI’s Missionary Training Institute shared their excitement over God’s call to politically and religiously sensitive countries in Asia. Matt Braun asked for prayer as he and his family move into a country to “re-dig” spiritual wells, and “see people and passion raised again.” Dave Berg prayed for a posture of humility, a willingness to ask what the Spirit of God is doing. Luke Heidebrecht spoke of his desire to explore mission in an integrated sense, including social needs.
“It’s important to tap shoulders, not just hand out money,” said MBMSI regional mobilizer Lloyd Letkeman. Leaders must be discerned, then discipled, he said.
Healthier churches
To become a healthier church and regain a clear sense of purpose, Hope Fellowship Church in Saskatoon embarked on the ReFocusing process.
Hope Fellowship was the first church in Saskatchewan to go through the process, and pastor Terry Froese said he “felt like a guinea pig,” alongside Stephane Rhéaume of Quebec and Barkman, church health associates who were learning on the job with Dave Jackson, national church health team leader.
“First you think of all the nice things, then some of the pain goes up [on the church history timeline],” said Froese. “It tells you the values you lived out with your money and time.” Despite some brutal honesty, members left the ReFocusing summit feeling encouraged, he said, and the church is looking forward to the next stages of discerning.
“I see you are a group that likes to pray,” observed MCC presenter Claire Ewert Fisher. That churches are praying was reflected in the convention presentations. A “life group” at West Portal went through prayer training with Lloyd and Carol Letkeman of MBMSI. Now, not only do they see prayer, and their city, in a new way but they have planned a short-term mission trip to Austria, largely to pray. Participant Tim Vellacott “got his socks blown off” by the experience of prayer-walking through his community in subzero temperatures. Vellacott is also part of the Harvest Saskatchewan team to coordinate prayer walks and encourage listening prayer.
Moderator Ron Dyck chaired the agency reports and business session Saturday. Clarence Peters gave the board of faith and life report on behalf of Tony Martens, indicating the board continues to wrestle with the issue of ordination. Redberry Bible Camp, MB Biblical Seminary, the Canadian conference, Mennonite Central Committee, Bethany College, and Canadian Bible Society gave reports bursting with enthusiasm for what God is doing in their agencies. Rick Schellenberg, Bethany College president, offered a guiding question: “How can we position ourselves in front of God to catch his wind in our sails?”
Business session
The Saskatchewan conference has a significant financial surplus this year, news that generated spending suggestions from the floor. Dyck cautioned careful stewardship, however, with humble awareness that the funds became available through the pain of church closures. “Let’s use [the money] where the Spirit of God pushes us,” he said.
A historic joint commissioning of Dwayne Barkman for ministry under both the provincial and national conferences closed the day on Saturday.
The convention was dismissed with a prayer for “eyes to see, to multiply your harvest.”
Gliege’s exhortation from Friday night’s session was an appropriate call to action for the breadbasket province: “It’s time to start the combines and move into the fields.” —KB
____________________________________________________________________
All in the family
Gift giving and a birthday celebration were part of the family-style atmosphere that generally characterizes Saskatchewan conventions.
At the close of Friday’s session, executive secretary Lucille Wall brought out a cake to celebrate long-serving conference minister Ralph Gliege’s 60th birthday.
Saturday, Gliege awarded moderator Ron Dyck a personalized toque knitted by Erna Janzen, who does the same for every new pastor to the conference. Janzen and her husband Archie were also
recognized for their years of service and continuing ministry after the closure of Arelee MB Church.
Bivocational church planter Rob Kroeker (Pierceland Community Church) received a baby outfit for his newborn daughter. Septuagenarian Adeline Sawatsky knits an outfit for all Saskatchewan pastors’ newborns, and makes countless school kits for MCC and Operation Christmas Child boxes for Samaritan’s Purse. —KB
