MHA launches “Tales from the Mennonite Heritage Archives” show
Winnipeg, Man.—A new weekly radio program and podcast produced by the Mennonite Heritage Archives (MHA) in Winnipeg is bringing history to life through storytelling. A team of four people creates each 15-minute episode using information gleaned from archival diaries, documents, and photographs, and interviews.
Book Review: “When your world stops”
In this short but deeply moving book, Jennifer Siran takes the reader through the multi-faceted aspects of having a child born with congenital heart defects. Siran is encouraging and practical as she visits many topics that are affected by this unplanned medical journey.
SBC Leadership Conference outlines steps for disagreeing without division
Winsome Conviction: Disagreeing Without Dividing the Church, was held March 14-15 at Steinbach Bible College (SBC) and featured Rick Langer, professor at Biola University. Langer began by asking, “Is winsome conviction worth pursuing and why is it so crucial? Why was it important for 120 church leaders from the EMC, MB, EMMC, MB and other conferences to attend this conference?”
An update on current discussions in the EMC - Ministerial and Conference Council
Cameron McKenzie opened the meeting with the thought that anything we repeat over and over again—like the Easter message—risks losing impact. But, he said, resurrection isn’t a single event—it is the heartbeat of the gospel, and whatever we find ourselves doing, we’re cultivators of resurrection communities.
PBMC’s young adults go to Mexico
“Maybe we can get 10–12 people!” Those were the thoughts of Jonathan Neufeld and Pete Hiebert when they first began planning a mission trip for the young adults group at Picture Butte Mennonite Church (PBMC). An opportunity to volunteer at El Buen Samaritano (a seniors home) in Vicente Geurrero Baja California, Mexico, was presented to Jonathan in early 2024.
On the ministry calendar at Kola EMC
Some 200 ladies gathered in our new fellowship hall for food, singing and worship. The speakers shared how God had led them in and through difficult seasons of life.
God is on the move
Our Beyond Borders colleague, who pastored among fellow civil war refugees in Uganda, reflected on the dehumanizing treatment many displaced persons experience, often being labeled as threats, burdens or cultural invaders. “The movement of refugees,” he said “should be seen not just as a crisis, but as part of God's divine plan.
“How much does Jesus cost?”
What does it look like to sacrifice for the glory of Jesus? For some of the new friends that our MissionX3 team met in Spain, it meant they walked away from Islam and decided to follow Jesus. It meant more than just leaving a religion.
The unexpected challenge of coming home
Returning home after spending time in my host country often brings unexpected challenges. One of the most surprising struggles is the question of identity—how I see myself, how others see me, and how I introduce myself in different contexts. When I’m overseas, I expect to navigate cultural differences. But at home, I don’t expect to feel foreign—yet I do.
Builders project to Nicaragua brings improvements to national office space
For Dave and me it was our second time to Nicaragua. It was great to see the camp we worked at in 2010 when Lester and Darlene Olfert were there—the same custodian was still taking care of the camp.
Growing engagement with Scripture
♪Bible memory was a big deal when I was in Sunday school. My reward for memorizing the most verses in the class was a Winnipeg Blue Bombers game and dinner at Boston Pizza! Core memory.
Things we’ve heard once too often
♪Have you ever heard a so-called “truth” once too often? Here’s one I heard recently: “being on mission is not just about going overseas as a missionary; it’s also staying home to serve God wherever you are.” Who could argue? But suddenly I had heard this one too many times. Instead of a timely truth I now saw a donkey my generation loved to flog.
Have you ever heard of Horatius Bonar?
♪Have you ever heard of Horatius Bonar? He was a pastor in the early 1800s who wrote 600 hymns and poems. I tried to find a relatable comparison in my life. I figure that in 13 years of marriage, I’ve probably written close to 600 grocery lists.
Partnerships: Questions that need answers
♪In my travels around the conference through the years, I have been part of many conversations that coalesce around certain themes. One question in particular is why we administers our own missions program, when we can and do partner with more than 20 other mission agencies.
Is there hope for pastors and churches in conflict?
♪I have been involved in church life for nearly 70 years, half of those years as a pastor. I love the church except for one thing: churches and pastors don’t seem to know how to disagree agreeably. Too often when a church and their pastor cannot agree on how well he is doing, separation results. But must it be this way?
Are church and hockey at odds?
♪The NHL playoffs are finally upon us, and for many of us Canadian hockey fans this is the most wonderful time of the year. Teams are now finally prepared to push all their chips and truly do whatever it takes to get sixteen wins and hoist Lord Stanley’s glorious cup.
Why this young theologian was drawn to Reformed evangelicalism
♪At one point the title to Collin Hansen’s 2008 book Young, Restless, Reformed would have described me quite well. I was young (in my early 20s), restless (in many ways) and Reformed (drinking regularly from the well of the three Johns: Piper, Edwards and Calvin).
Dabbling to greater fulfillment
I love to dabble in different creative projects. Whether it’s carpentry or gardening or cooking or painting—it all brings me great fulfillment.
Editorial: Are Canadian religious charities at risk?
♪In December 2024, Canada’s (or the Canadian government’s) Standing Committee on Finance issued a report with 462 recommendations. Item 430 recommends Canada “amend the Income Tax Act to provide a definition of a charity which would remove the privileged status of ‘advancement of religion’ as a charitable purpose.”
Editorial: I fear I would have been in the ‘crucify him’ crowd
♪We sat in an unfamiliar church, in the last row. I could see the stony backs of our young adult children a few rows forward and as I watched them, I knew that this wouldn’t be the day things would change.