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“Bustin’ the church: Jesus for a new generation” is a conference on how churches and para-church organizations can integrate young leaders into the church and adapt their ministries for a postmodern generation. It will be held Oct. 22-23 at College Drive Community Church, Lethbridge, Alta. Sponsored by the church and Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, the conference will feature the father-son team of Kevin Ford, a ministry consultant for IVCF who has written Jesus for a New Generation, a practical guide to the postmodern age; and Leighton Ford, an evangelist with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association specializing in developing Christian leaders. For more information, visit the Web site http://come.to/bustin_1999 or contact bustin’ the church, 2710 College Dr. S., Lethbridge, AB T1K 6K5 or phone (403) 320-1652. – Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship
“Staying on course in a sea of change” is the theme for this year’s Mennonite Economic Development Associates convention to be held Nov. 4-7 in Norfolk, Va. Keynote speakers include Peggy Wehmeyer, religion reporter for ABC World News Tonight; John Dalla Costa, president for the Centre for Ethical Orientation in Toronto; and Bishop Leslie Francisco, senior pastor of the fastest-growing Mennonite congregation in North America. One of the seminars, “Staying on course for a thriving family business,” is designed to help family-run businesses be successful. This seminar features John Fast of the Conrad Grebel College Centre for Family Business; Leonard Geiser, professor of business and founder and director of the Goshen College Family Business Program; and Henry Landes, founder and president of the Delaware Valley Family Business Centre. For more information about the convention, call MEDA at (800) 665-7026 or e-mail nas@meda.org. – MEDA
Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary – B.C. recently joined Associated Canadian Theological Schools, an interdenominational seminary consortium. Its new address is Fosmark Centre, 7600 Glover Rd., Langley, B.C. V2Y 1Y1. Phone: (604) 513-2133; ACTS phone: (604) 513-2044; fax: (604) 513-2045; e-mail: mbbsbc@twu.ca. – MBBS-B.C.
The Kansas State Board of Education voted Aug. 11 to eliminate references to the theory of evolution on state assessment tests designed to measure student competency in science. Creationists, who believe that God created the world, argue that since evolution cannot be observed or replicated in a laboratory, there is no evidence it actually occurred. They also believe that the Bible shows life on Earth cannot be more than 10,000 years old, and cite examples such as the Mount St. Helens eruption in 1980 as a catastrophe which proves the earth can undergo major changes in a short period of time. The Board’s decision does not prohibit the teaching of evolution in schools, but since the subject will not appear on state assessment tests, it is expected teachers won’t spend time teaching the theory. Once accepted as the foundation for the origin of life, evolution, the scientific theory that all life came from common ancestors, has been challenged by school boards in Arizona, Alabama, Illinois, New Mexico, Texas, Nebraska, Ohio, Washington, New Hampshire and Tennessee. – Zondervan News Service
“Faith Journal” is a new TV program in Ontario spotlighting religious news and public affairs. Produced by Crossroads Television System in Burlington, Ont., it will begin airing in October. The hour-long weekly program will feature news; discussions with religious leaders; a billboard of coming events; stories and features from local communities; and editorials. – Crossroads Television System
Two pastors of the United Pentecostal Church of Colombia were assassinated Aug. 2 in Lejanias. No group has claimed responsibility. Honorio Trivino and Miguel Antonio Ospina were travelling between Cacayal and Aguasclaras. Apparently, four men on two motorbikes stopped their vehicle, and the two pastors were shot. It is believed the murders are part of the war that is ravaging that part of the country. So far this year, four pastors of the church have been murdered. Since 1996, 15 of the 76 churches in the region have closed. Reports of kidnappings, killings and forced evictions are widespread. During the last 10 years, an estimated 35,000 people have died as a direct result of Colombia’s civil war. Efforts by the government to dialogue with the largest of the militant rebel groups, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, are at a standstill. – Mennonite World Conference, Compass Direct
JUSTAPAZ (Christian Centre for Justice, Peace and Nonviolent Action), a program of the Mennonite Church in Colombia, and Mennonite World Conference are asking for prayer for Jose Luis and Olga Azurdia, who are considering fleeing Guatemala with their family. Earlier, their two sons fled the country on the advice of their local church, Casa Horeb Mennonite Church in Guatemala City. On June 2, son Jorge Luis was briefly kidnapped and threatened by some unknown men. Both sons have been questioned by police. Some unknown men came to the Azurdias’ former residence, looking for them. Police raided the home of a former neighbour, taking away one man, and a friend of the two sons has been kidnapped. The Azurdias’ church concluded that their lives were in danger and are offering strong support to the family. Jose Luis is director of Kikoten Christian Institute, a peacebuilding agency that has a representative from Mennonite Central Committee; is coordinator of the Central American Anabaptist Justice and Peace Institute Network; and teaches in two universities. Olga is church treasurer, teaches Sunday school, teaches in the Mennonite Bible Institute and the Latin American Anabaptist Seminary, and is the training coordinator of the Institute for Conflict Transformation and Peace Building of Rafael Landivar University in Guatemala. – MWC, Justapez
A couple from Denver, Colo. have launched a suit against the city, challenging a zoning ordination that limits them to one home Bible study per month. David and Diane Reiter argue that a cease-and-desist order by the city zoning office is unconstitutional. The Reiters began hosting weekly Bible studies in their home in March 1998. The meetings drew 8-10 women per week. Neighbours complained about parking difficulties. In October 1998, the city ordered them to limit the number of meetings to one per month. A Denver zoning official said the ordinance gives the city the authority to protect residential neighbourhoods from any activity that is unreasonable, uncommon or disruptive, including football parties, yard sales and religious meetings. The suit contends that the Reiters have complied with noise, parking and traffic requirements. The city’s order makes no mention of parking violations. – Evangelical Press News Service
African mosquitoes often carry malaria, a disease which kills more than 2.5 million people annually. Recently, Mennonite Economic Development Associates received a contract from the International Development Research Centre to help research the use of insecticide-treated nets and net re-treatment kits in Tanzania, Ghana, Congo, Senegal, Zambia and Uganda. The colourless, odorless biodegradable chemical used on the nets is safe for humans. The nets will be sold with a packet of insecticide and instructions to coat the net with the chemical every six months. One study showed that properly used nets in a test community could reduce the death rate among children under five by 30%. – MEDA
150 churches in Kano state in northern Nigeria have been ordered to be demolished by the government there because it says the churches were built without its consent. Christians call the move discriminatory, saying that Muslim mosques have also been built without approval, and the Christian Association of Nigeria is pressing the government to rescind its decision. Muslim leaders cite church growth, largely through evangelism, in the predominantly-Muslim northern state and the need for regulation as reasons for the government’s threat to demolish the churches. Nigeria’s population of about 120 million is divided into over 200 ethnic groups. During the last six months, over 500 people have been killed as a result of ethnic and religious tensions in Nigeria. – Compass Direct
Mennonite Health Services and Mennonite Central Committee Canada Mental Health and Disabilities Program invite graduate students pursuing careers in mental health fields in Canada and the US to apply for scholarships for the 2000-01 academic year. The scholarships, between $1,000 and $1,200 US, are available from the Elmer Ediger Memorial Scholarship Fund. Four to six students receive the scholarships annually. To qualify, applicants must be in graduate studies with a vocational interest in mental health, developmental disabilities or related fields; have at least an average grade level of 3.25; be active in a Mennonite, Brethren in Christ or Mennonite Brethren church; and be a Canadian or US citizen. Service experience, attendance at a church-related college and financial need will also be considered. Deadline for applications is Feb. 1, 2000. For applications, write to: Wendy Rohn, Mennonite Health Services, 234 South Main St., Suite A, Goshen, IN 46526 or call (219) 534-9689. – Mennonite Health Services
Mennonite Benevolent Society held its 46th annual meeting in Abbotsford, B.C. In 1999, Menno Hospital underwent a $1.5 million, 23-bed expansion, and Menno Home completed a $380,000 construction project. Frank Letkeman is the new chair of MBS. Concluding 9 years of service on the MBS Board are Les Friesen and Peter Froese. Arthur Enns is now serving as administrator of both Menno Home and Tabor Home (an MB facility under a different board), with Caroll Daly assisting him. John Krause retired in spring after serving 13 years as business manager in Menno Home. Mike Redekop is the new director of finance. Joan Olson is retiring in December, after serving 32 years at Menno Hospital, the last 13 as director of resident care. – MBS
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Last modified September 28, 1999.
© 1999 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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