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Elvira (Elly) Bargen is serving as half-time secretary to David Wiebe, executive director of the Canadian MB Conference. Recently, Elly moved with her family from British Columbia, where she was administrative assistant to Walter Unger, president of Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford. Elly’s position involves assisting churches with the Natural Church Development assessment, monitoring pastoral searches and directly assisting Wiebe. Elly is married to Norbert, who is the newly-appointed principal at MB Collegiate Institute in Winnipeg. The Bargens have three children.
Ed Balzer became pastor of administration at South Abbotsford (B.C.) MB Church, effective Sept. 1. Previously, he served as pastor of worship arts at the church for 16 years. He has a B.Ed. from Western Washington University and a diploma from Columbia Bible College. His wife Evelyn is a grade 6 teacher. They have three grown daughters: Allison, Jennifer and Erin.
Wally Klassen completed his ministry as pastor of worship ministries at Forest Grove Community Church in Saskatoon on Sept. 15, after serving for five years, including one year as interim lead pastor. He is currently teaching at Bethany Bible Institute, Hepburn, Sask. on an interim part-time basis. Previously, he pastored Winkler (Man.) MB Church for nine years and Grace Bible Fellowship in Sexsmith, Alta. for six years. He has a diploma from Peace River Bible Institute in Sexsmith, a B.A. from Winnipeg Bible (now Providence) College in Otterburne, Man., and an M.A. from Briercrest Biblical Seminary in Caronport, Sask. His wife Hilda has her own counselling practice. They have two daughters, Michelle, 19, and CoraLee, 17. They are open to further ministry.
Brent and Lise Hudson began serving as pastor couple at River of Life MB Church in Moncton, N.B. on Sept. 1. Previously, Brent pastored a Baptist church in Kincardine, Ont. for four years and a Native congregation on the Six Nations Native Territory near Brantford, Ont. for six years. He has a B.A. from Atlantic Baptist University in Moncton and an M.Div. and an M.T.S. from McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton, Ont. He has also taken two years of doctoral studies at McMaster University. The Hudsons have three children, Rebekah, 11, Christina, 9, and Nathaniel, 6.
Albert Baerg |
Albert Baerg has been hired as pastor of New Hope Community Church in North Vancouver, B.C., effective Jan. 14. He will replace Eugene Harder, who will be retiring on Jan. 24 (see MBH, Sept. 8). Currently, Albert is interim pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Vancouver. Previously, he was interim pastor at River of Life Community Church in Sorrento, B.C. for four months. He pastored Richmond Park MB Church in Brandon, Man. for six years, Leamington (Ont.) MB Church for five years, Portage Ave. MB Church in Winnipeg for four years, Central Baptist Church in Winnipeg for three years and then Peace Arch Fellowship in South Surrey, B.C. for five years. He has studied at MB Bible College in Winnipeg and Winkler (Man.) Bible Institute and has a B.A. from the University of Winnipeg and an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Mass. His wife Lorna is vice-principal at White Rock (B.C.) Christian School. The Baergs have four children, Andrew, 26, Jeremy, 24, Rachel, 22, and Kristin, 20.
Jennifer Brazeau began serving as the new full-time pastor of student ministries at Waterloo (Ont.) MB Church in October. Since August, she has been assisting Paul McIlwraith in working with youth. McIlwraith has now become pastor of community care and outreach at the church. Previously, Jennifer was a pastoral apprentice to youth at Queensway Baptist Church in Brantford, Ont. for a year and to university students at McNeill Baptist Church in Hamilton, Ont. for 2 years. She has a B.A. from the University of Waterloo and an M.Div. from McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton.
Helen Regehr began serving as youth coordinator at Scott St. MB Church in St. Catharines, Ont. on Aug. 1. She previously worked at Niagara Credit Union. In 1996, she served with Youth With A Mission in Kenya. On Sept. 10, 2000, Helen presented a photo montage to Larry Moss, who completed a youth pastoral internship at the church Aug. 31; the montage included photos of youth he has ministered to at the church over the past three years. He is studying part-time at Brock University in St. Catharines and is a graduate of Winkler (Man.) Bible School. He is married to Danielle.
Pictured are (l-r) Barry Dyck, church leadership team chair; Keith Poysti; Abe and Kathy Klassen; Victor Neufeld, assistant moderator of the Manitoba MB Conference; and Randy Dueck, church membership chair. |
Steinbach (Man.) MB Church held a commissioning service Sept. 17 for pastor couple Abe and Kathy Klassen. Keith Poysti, chair of the Committee of Congregational Caregivers for the Manitoba MB Conference, challenged the church to consider the attractiveness of Christ and draw people to the church with His methods and charisma. The service also included a dedicatory prayer for the Klassens and a commitment from the congregation to support and pray for the Klassens.
Karen Heidebrecht Thiessen has been hired as four-fifths-time lead pastor at West Abbotsford Mennonite Church in Abbotsford, B.C., effective Nov. 1. Previously, she pastored River East MB Church in Winnipeg for 10 years. She has a B.R.S. from MB Bible College in Winnipeg, a B.A. from the University of Winnipeg and an M.Div. from MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif. Her husband Richard is director of library services at Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford. They have three sons, Abram, 7, Solomon, 3, and Isaac, 1.
McIvor Ave. MB Church in Winnipeg held a commissioning service for new senior pastor couple Doug and Naomi Enns on Oct. 15. Previously, they pastored Saanich Community Church in Victoria for nine years, and were associate pastor couple at Elmwood MB Church in Winnipeg for five years. Doug has a B.R.E. from Briercrest Bible College in Caronport, Sask., a B.A. from Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C., and an M.A. from MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif. Naomi has a B.N. from California State University of Fresno. They have three children, Joshua, Rebekah and Hannah.
Clearbrook MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C. held a missions conference Sept. 29 – Oct. 1 with three missionary couples. Jerrold and Jean Petkau are former missionaries in Klaipeda, Lithuania. Jerrold brought three messages on the main theme “Transformation”. He said that if Christians are to fulfill their calling of being Christ’s messengers in the world, they need transformation in their daily walk. Lawrence and Selma Warkentin spoke about their 43-year ministry as church planters; by the grace of God, they were able to plant churches in Wels, Austria; Traunreut and Traunstein, Bavaria; and Dresden, East Germany, as well as begin outreaches in Salzburg, Austria, Burghausen, Bavaria and East Berlin. Matt and Debbie Born spoke about their teaching ministry at the Pan-American Christian Academy in Sao Paulo, Brazil. They are planning to return to this work as MBMS International mission associates in January.
On Oct. 8, Clearbrook MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C. baptized Sarah Neufeld and welcomed her into membership.
The graduating class of 1950 from MB Bible School, now Columbia Bible College, met together Mar. 20, 2000 at the school’s campus in Abbotsford, B.C. – one day short of the actual 50th anniversary. The alumni toured the library, attended the chapel and sat in on some classes. On June 23, 2000, the alumni met for a banquet at ABC Country Restaurant in Abbotsford. Alvin Philippsen had a brief devotional, which included the hymns, “Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow”, “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee”, and a reading from Psalm 103. Philippsen reminded the alumni that they have over 50 years of memories for which they should praise the Lord. A male quartet, consisting of Aaron Schmidt, Alvin Philippsen, Henry Nickel and Jake Wedel, sang 3 selections: “This World is not my Home”, “Kneel at the Cross” and “The Riches of Love”. The quartet was accompanied by Margaret (Willms) Wiens, Bill’s wife. Tributes were given to the teachers of 1950: J.F. Redekop, H.H. Nikkel, A.H. Wieler and J.K. Brandt. Rita (Mueller) Radzikowski favoured the alumni with music on the piano and a solo accompanied by Margaret Wiens. Each alumnus gave a testimony. Aaron Schmidt closed the evening with communion. Pictured are the graduates of MB Bible School in 1950 (back, l-r): Alvin Philippsen, Bill Wiens, Jake Wedel, Abe Klassen, George Konrad, Henry Nickel; (front) Aaron Schmidt, Tena Klassen, Kathryne Matthies, Rita Mueller, Nettie Rempel and Werner Falk.
Experienced and recreational cyclists participated in two cyclathons in British Columbia this year to help those suffering from the effects of drought and war in Uganda. Sponsored by Mennonite Central Committee, the cyclathons raised over $23,000 for relief work in Uganda. In August, 30 people biked a challenging 400 km circuit in the Okanagan area. On Sept. 16, 35 cyclists chose an easier ride, cycling 50 km on the Sumas Flats in the Fraser Valley. Some showed up with kids in tow and enjoyed a sunny day of cycling. Over the past 13 years, Uganda has gone through drought and war. In the last two years, rebels have attacked communities. About 10,000 children have been abducted and forced to work as soldiers, porters and sex slaves. Many people have been forced into “protected villages” by the military, obligating them to leave their houses and crops to the rebels. Also, drought has resulted in crop failures and the loss of seed stock for future crops. Starvation has already begun. MCC is providing food, seeds and hoes to 10,000 Ugandans.
Peace Arch Fellowship in South Surrey, B.C. held a commissioning service for lead pastor couple James and Marcy Bergen on June 25. B.C. MB Conference minister Ike Bergen and his wife Shirley had the privilege of participating in the commissioning of their son. James, together with the congregation, claimed that the church’s future will be far beyond what the church can imagine as it commits itself to acknowledging Christ as the only and all-sufficient Saviour (Acts 4:12); upholding the Bible as the absolute authority in the church (2 Timothy 3:16-17); allowing the Holy Spirit to have complete control of church leaders (Acts 6:3-4); making prayer the foundation for the church (Colossians 4:2); experiencing renewal together (Revelation 4:2); and keeping evangelism and missions central (Matthew 28). After the service, the congregation celebrated with a barbecue lunch during which interim pastor Henry Willms passed the torch to James.
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Last modified December 3, 2000.
© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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