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Fresno, Calif.
13 missionaries join MBMS International


Thirteen missionaries are joining MBMS International to serve as overseas missionaries for a term of two or more years. Their assignments range from teaching English to working in hospitals, from South America to Asia to Africa.

Doug Cressman will go out as part of the agency’s core program, while the other 12 are being sent through a joint appointment with other agencies in assignments or locations where MBMSI is not currently directly involved. MBMS International supports them by providing training and ongoing support and helping them connect with supporting churches. Single-term missionaries plan to go for only one term of up to three years, while multi-term missionaries plan to serve for numerous three-year terms.

“As an agency that represents Mennonite Brethren churches in Canada and the United States, it is our responsibility to help churches send those who are called as missionaries, wherever that call leads them,” says Ron Penner, personnel director for MBMSI.

In addition, 19 core multi-term missionaries have been reappointed for additional terms. These included:

Bryan and Teresa Born to Botswana Phil and Carol Bergen to Burkina Faso Warren Harder and Melanie Regier to China Vic and Marty Wiens to Brazil Paul and Maurine Friesen and Bob and Erika Sukkau to Peru John and Mary Klassen to Germany Otto and Marjorie Ekk to Portugal

In addition, there are missionaries based in North America: Samir and Lewiza Youssef working with Arabic speakers, and Phone Keo Keovilay working with the Khmu.

New missionaries will gather for orientation July 11–14. From July 15–20, the group will expand to include missionaries who are leaving service or returning to overseas service. In total, 60 adults and children, plus staff, board members and alumni will gather together for fellowship, training and commissioning as part of the annual Missionary Enrichment Seminar.

Doug Cressman is a multi-term missionary working as hospital administrator of Mennonite Brethren Medical Centre in Jadcherla, India. He is a member of Westwood Community Church in Winnipeg. He will work closely with the Indian MB Conference and a medical network comprised of North American physicians. According to Cressman, there are an estimated 500,000 people within the service area of the hospital. Satellite clinics run once a week in two outlying communities. The outpatient department sees up to 14,000 patients per year.

Doris Goertz has been appointed as a multi-term missionary to work in Neyagawa Mennonite Brethren Church in Japan, August 2001–July 2004. Doris served with MBMS International for three years in Japan after serving for five years in the Winnipeg office, and then received a candidate scholarship for three years at MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif., where she graduated with an M.Div. in world mission. Most recently, she worked in the registrar’s office at MBBS. She is a member of North Fresno MB Church. Her appointment to Japan is a culmination of many years’ work. Doris attended seminary specifically to become equipped for further ministry in Japan. She was hired by Neyagawa MB Church as the church’s missionary to its community. She will be involved in relational evangelism and discipleship through English classes, small group ministry and participation in worship services.

Robert and Marlene Baerg are multi-term mission associates to East Asia, in a joint appointment with Alpha Communities, a humanitarian aid agency. The Baergs will be doing social service ministries with the mission organization which works mainly in the capital city of their East Asia country. The Baergs have five children: Joel, 15, Marissa, 13, Ryan 11, Steven, 9, and Natalia, 6. They are members of Westwood MB Church in Prince George, B.C.

Barbara Block is a multi-term mission associate serving as an art teacher and the head of the art department at Kodaikanal School in India. Barbara has already been in India 16 years. Apart from the school, she is involved in orphanage work. She is from Forest Grove Community Church in Saskatoon.

Al and Connie Falk are single-term mission associates serving in Riverside Christian International School in Prague, Czech Republic, May 2001–June 2004. They will teach social studies and physical education and lead devotionals. They have three children, Andrea, 5, Mark, 3, and Sara, 1. They are members of South Abbotsford MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C.

Tim and Lorrie Orr are multi-term mission associates to Ecuador in a joint appointment with HCJB Radio (World Radio Missionary Fellowship, Inc.). Tim is the administrator of Hospital Vozandes, a part of the HCJB World Radio. Lorrie teaches at Alliance Academy, a school for missionary children. The Orrs have three children, Cristal, 19, Travis, 17, and Ashley, 14, and are members of Mountain Park MB Church in Abbotsford.

Megan Roberts is a single-term mission associate to Japan, where she will teach English as an international language, August 2001–June 2003. Megan is a recent graduate of Fresno Pacific University, majoring in intercultural studies with an emphasis in missions. Until recently, she worked at Pink House, an inner-city ministry of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. She is a member of New Hope Community Church in Fresno.

Colin and Dot Suggett are multi-term mission associates to Burkina Faso in a joint appointment with Wycliffe Bible Translators. The Suggetts have done literacy work among the Turka people for the past five years. They are now returning to translate the Bible into the Turka language. They have two children, Iris, 14, and Lily, 11, and are members of Waterloo (Ont.) MB Church.

Lisa Washio is a single-term mission associate to Japan, where she will teach English as an international language, August 2001–June 2003. Lisa is a recent graduate of Fresno Pacific University, with a double major in biblical and religious studies and intercultural studies with an emphasis in missions. While at FPU, she served with the on-campus ministry team of Youth Mission International. She is a member of Butler Ave. MB Church in Fresno.

 – Brad Thiessen, MBMS International

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Last modified August 22, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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