I married a man who tells time the way a compass points north. He knows exactly where he needs to be and when he needs to be there. I unfortunately don’t have the same innate sense of urgency.

It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we share the news of the sudden and unexpected passing of our colleague and friend, John Fumana. John has faithfully served as the Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission (AIMM) executive coordinator since 2020. He passed away on May 15, 2026.

The EMC Board of Missions is pleased to announce the acceptance of two couples for service in Spain. These couples will join a team led by Antonio and Esther Pitta.

Closing out the 2025–2026 school year was a meaningful and encouraging season for the Steinbach Bible College (SBC) community as we celebrated another group of graduates being sent out to follow Jesus, serve the church, and engage the world.

The Mennonite World Conference was founded 101 years ago with a desire to be in solidarity with Mennonites facing persecution. This was a time when political leaders were misusing their power and life was difficult for believers who held a peace position. My own relatives were living in a time of horror in the Soviet Union before they were sponsored to come to Canada in 1926.

Picture Butte Mennonite Church (PBMC) graciously hosted an EMC Missions Fellowship. This newly revised gathering aims at building awareness and relationships with EMC churches. Around 100 people gathered from all over southern Alberta on May 31, 2026. After a brief introduction and history of EMC Missions, we heard a report from Nancy Friesen.

The Council of International Anabaptist Ministries (CIM) is a group of agencies from across North America that meets once a year for collaboration and discussion. Each agency takes a turn hosting. This year it was the privilege of EMC Missions to host the meeting.

On May 15, 2026, the Canadian Christian Communicators Association held its annual awards ceremony in Toronto, Ont. The Messenger placed in seven categories for work published in 2025.

The Encourage retreat was an inaugural event held at Lakeview Resort in Gimli, Man. We were excited to see 17 churches send pastors to this event. Though the weather was uncooperative, the event gave time for pastors to retreat, recharge, and connect with God and others.

CMC’s clothing fest was born out of a need to supply many of the poor and needy people in our community with appropriate seasonal clothing, especially for people on social assistance, recent immigrants, and, more recently, unhoused people and refugees.

“Where is Fort Frances?” is a question we hear often. It’s usually followed up by, “Oh, it’s in Ontario. How far are you from Toronto?” Quite far it turns out. About a 24-hour drive. Oh, the dilemmas of living in Northwestern Ontario.

In May 2026, Rosenort Evangelical Church (REMC) was pleased to welcome Sam and Karenna Pauls of Blumenort to our church leadership team. Sam will be taking on the role of associate pastor of discipleship. We look forward to seeing how they enhance our church with their unique giftings.