The Regional Leadership Forum emphasizes the vibrant life of our local churches and encourages open dialogue about their successes and challenges. As the EMC continues to grow, these meetings are essential touchpoints that ensure the efforts and energies of our directors stay connected to grassroots experiences.

As I write this note, I’m ending my third week working as the EMC’s new communications director. Starting a new job, in many ways, is the beginning of new stress. Moses, the Old Testament leader in Exodus to Deuteronomy, comes to mind in these times. Moses had a rocky start to his job as shepherd of Israel.

As the EMC director of next generation, I understand that one of the greatest gifts to younger generations is a legacy of authentic faith passed down from older adults. Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Len to learn more about the work that Legacy Coalition Canada is doing and the resources available to grandparents and churches.

Imagine a pianist who could say “I love you” to his lover by playing a song at the piano. The better the pianist and the better he knew his lover, the more compelling this love song would be. In some ways it might be even better than talking or writing a letter.

My grandparents lived on a beautiful acreage when I was a child. They had a large garden, a cute playhouse, and a big hammock slung between two old apple trees. The main feature during the winter months was the large, gently-sloping hill at the back of the property. One day in particular stands out in my childhood memory of that private snow hill.

Evangelical Fellowship Church (EFC) in Steinbach experienced an active and meaningful fall season. In late November, we were pleased to celebrate the ordination of Trevor Fleming. Pastor Trevor, along with his wife Jamie and their family, joined EFC as our associate pastor in January 2024.

From greenhouses to trucking, our town is changing fast, and God is doing something new. At Leamington Evangelical Mennonite Church (LEMC), we are seeing young people, families, and new members coming together to worship, serve, and grow in faith. In a community full of opportunities and challenges, we are discovering that God’s work in our church reflects his work in our town.

Picture a sleepy prairie hamlet nestled at the foot of the Pembina Hills in southern Manitoba, surrounded by rolling hills and lush farmland, with a small creek running through it. This lovely farming community boasts six streets, three churches, a community store, an outdoor rink, a public rose garden, and a memorial. It is in this idyllic setting that you will find Roseisle EMC, a growing congregation of worshippers of all ages and backgrounds.

When I arrived at Pineridge Fellowship Chapel in 2020 to pastor, the church was already warm and friendly. My family and I instantly felt welcomed, which was important given all that was going on in 2020. It is easy to become complacent as a congregation. Sometimes when you have a smaller church, new people can almost be treated like outsiders, particularly if they’re different from the church.

We have one. Do you? If not, you should! Our candy grandma gives out candy to kids after church, in bags (small ones, but even so)! After the service, candy grandma Linda sits expectantly with her notebook in hand, pen at the ready.

Peter was in a very restrictive colony and knew there was something better than following rules in the hope of perhaps making it to heaven. But the rules were a cage that kept his soul imprisoned and he wanted freedom in Jesus. He now works to bring understanding, surety of eternal salvation, and new life to many within hearing distance of the radio station, which he manages.

We, Reza and Bahar, are Afghan but were born and raised in Iran. Through a Farsi-speaking church, we immigrated from Iran to Turkey. There, we were discipled and began our ministry among the Afghan people in 2017, primarily through online outreach.