By Cathy Epp
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, Man.—On Sunday, January 23, 2022, Pastor Les Kroeker led Michael and Sabrina Jones as they dedicated themselves and their baby daughter Ashlynn to the Lord. He gave them five questions to answer. Continue reading Pastors, Church Support Parents in Dedication
by Lisa Bergen
STEINBACH, Man.—What a busy fall it was at Stony Brook Fellowship in 2021!
On September 19, we held an ordination service for Pastor Andrew Dyck.
On September 26, we held a parent-child dedication service for three families in our church.
October 3, we had two baptisms and four new members.
We praise God for all he has done during the last year. We continue to look forward to what he will do in and through us this coming year.
by Jenaya Groen
WINNIPEG, Man.— At the beginning of the month of February 2019, Crestview Fellowship Church experienced two prominent events. One of them brought the community, congregation, and youth group together to enjoy an evening full of fellowship on Feb.1, 2019. The event was held on a Friday night, starting at 6:30 p.m., where we were able to enjoy a tasty taco dinner before we settled in for a movie in the sanctuary.
I Can Only Imagine was the movie being viewed that evening, and it definitely brought some interest in from the community. Crestview Fellowship loves these events for reasons of outreach and, fortunately, God’s hand was at work again with another successful opportunity. Without the thought and time put in from the volunteers, these types of events would not be possible. The church is very thankful for the working hands and willing hearts within it; they truly go the extra mile.
The second event was on Feb. 3, 2019, where we celebrated with the Triskle family, as they committed their second baby to raising them in the love of Christ. The church is eager to watch baby Allistair Triskle grow in his faith, as we will be supporting him, whether that is through prayer or helping out with Sunday School. The future of Crestview Fellowship Church is continuing to strengthen as we watch our family grow and use their gifts to benefit our Lord’s kingdom.
CFC enjoyed many Christmas blessing and outreach events during December 2018. Three of the many highlights this Christmas included Christmas hampers, the L.O.F.T. Christmas party, and the second annual Christmas Eve service and potluck.
This year Crestview blessed nine families with a Christmas hamper. The church was very generous and the hamper assembly and deliveries were able to run smoothly.
The L.O.F.T. stands for Living Our Faith Together, where youth from the church and around the community meet on Friday nights, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., and study God’s Word and enjoy playing exciting games. The L.O.F.T. Christmas party consisted of delicious homemade pizza, surprising youth leader trivia, extreme white elephant gift exchange, tasty sugar cookie decorating, and a game of capture the flag in the dark. The youth that attend are grateful for an awesome and welcoming Friday night every week.
The Christmas Eve service and potluck was another year of outreach success with many smiles of members and visitors enjoying each other’s company and sharing in joy of our Saviour’s birth. The message was called, “Is He the One?” Our eyes were opened to seven of the many prophecies of the coming of the Messiah, in the Old Testament, being fulfilled many years later. We can all trust in God’s Word and celebrate His faithfulness this year. Pastor Darrel Guenther challenged everyone, “He is the One. Is He your Saviour?”
On Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, Crestview officially welcomed Adam Schmidt has our youth pastor. Adam Schmidt grew up in the Crestview Fellowship community, and many in the congregation have watched him grow and express his faith in Jesus Christ. Adam has a servant heart that is always eager to help and encourage. He went to Steinbach Bible College where he learned a lot about himself and God through four years.
Connecting with youth, both inside and outside the church, is something that is so important to Adam and his efforts in these relationships are evidently huge and so cool. Adam connects through his own experiences, whether it’s on the court or reality. It’ll be exciting to see how God uses Adam as he serves as youth pastor in the Crestview Fellowship community.
On Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, Crestview enjoyed reaching out to the community with a free sale and free breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. The church had been collecting items for the free sale since early spring; therefore, we had endless things to share with the community. From boots to books, from couches to pouches, we had it all. The breakfast was served: orange juice, hot coffee, fluffy pancakes drizzled with maple syrup, and savoury sausage, all cooked right in front of the community. This outreaching event touched the hearts of many, both the ones serving and receiving.
by Janice Harder
BLUMENORT, Man.—We have celebrated many exciting events in the church. On April 22, 2018, we celebrated the ordinations of Alain Reimer and James Driedger in a wonderful service where we encouraged them to keep on learning and serving the Lord wherever He plants them.
On May 6, 2018, five candidates participated in the Sunday morning baptism service. Austin Kehler, Leanna Giesbrecht, Daniel Mandel, Justin Reimer, and Kyra Sawatzky publicly declared their faith and trust in Christ and were baptized.
One short week later, on May 13 we had 13 families participate in a parent-child dedication ceremony. It was a joyful occasion for the church family.
We have a full summer of Bible Camp coming up in a few short weeks at Eagle Lake Bible Camp in Ontario. We are once again running a Summer VBS program from June 24-28. The theme is Time Lab: Discovering Jesus from Eternity Past to Eternity Future.
We also have our annual church in the park event together with the Ridgewood EMC at the community fair days on July 1. We thank you for your prayers as we celebrate these events together as a church, and as we work together to be the hands and feet of Jesus wherever we go.
by Betty Barkman
PANSY, Man.—Many things happen in a church. Sometimes God surprises us by adding to the mix even more then for which we might have bargained. On Sunday morning, July 1, a beloved daughter of the church suffered a heart attack in the middle of our prayer time.
Amid qualified attendees quickly applying resuscitation, and countless tears and prayers all over the sanctuary, suddenly she started breathing again. By the time the professional emergency people arrived she was doing better, and, at the time of this writing, much better. Thank you, church. We don’t know why this happened, but we choose to thank God regardless. He is amazing.
The Sunday before, on June 24, we were blessed by the baptism of five candidates. There is a wonderful spirit of joy watching the couple of hundred guests at the river site cheering on their loved ones who were taking this vital stand for their faith in Jesus Christ. May God give each of you his guidance, courage and joy in the days ahead!
On June 17 we held our annual picnic. When you get to have perfect weather, no bugs, a best-all-around park, food and well-planned activities together in a happy crowd—can you think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon?
To commemorate the re-paving of Pansy Road—something that was worked hard for and is much appreciated—we held a prayer walk early Sunday morning on the July 10. Each mile was walked along, in groups, as we prayed for the people travelling this road, for its longevity and special thanks to God Who alone made this possible.
May highlights included a parent-child dedication service on June 13. Involved were Dorian and Chantelle Friesen with Hailey, Daniel and Kayla Goertzen with David, Jason and Brianne Preteau with Hazel, and Arvid and Manuella Zacharias with Gabriel. We pray for you all. May you have joy and wisdom for the parenting journey.
On May 11 we hosted “Solitary Refinement,” the Voice of Martyrs Canada presenting incredible true stories from the persecuted church. It was eye opening to say the least.
Before that we had had Compassion Canada, with a special speaker, Kiwi, telling her story. She had been a sponsored child and was now in a position to help us help others. A few weeks earlier we’d heard the story from Rob and Sharon Steeves about their amazing journey toward finding their three Ukrainian orphans who are orphans no more. Surely there are few things more worth talking about then our learning to hear and obey the voice of our Lord, whatever shape that takes.
by Donna Thiessen
MACGREGOR, Man.—Sunday, Sept. 11, 2017, was an important date in the life of the MacGregor EM Church. On this morning, a dedication service was held for three babies: Austyn Guenther, daughter of Linden and Dakotah Guenther; Noelle Doerksen, daughter of Russell and Shannon Doerksen; and Tyler Sae-Phan, son of Chai and Bo Sae-Phan. The parents committed to raising their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and the congregation committed to supporting them in that role.
It was also an important date as we installed Russell Doerksen as our new pastor and commissioned him and Shannon in their roles of leadership in the church. Russell and Shannon were previously living in Otterburne, Man., where Russell was working for Providence University College and Seminary. They attended Fort Gary EMC in Winnipeg.
Conference pastor Layton Friesen brought the message and conducted the installation. “We’re excited to be a part of the community at MacGregor EMC and we’re looking forward to where that leads,” says Russell.
After having been without a full-time pastor for a number of years, it is heartening to embark on this new era. We wish the Lord’s richest blessings on Russell and Shannon as they carry out this important position.
by Elaine Kroeker
WINNIPEG, Man.—Our first potluck of the year was a Chinese New Year event on Jan. 29 with the Winnipeg Logos Church. We are thankful that we can share our facility and do joint events with them several times a year.
For our service that day, a man within the Logos congregation shared his story of coming to faith in God this past year and being baptized at Thanksgiving by Pastor Len Harms. He shared about the many ways in which following Jesus was helping him make changes in his life. He said he has changed from being judgmental to becoming a more gentle and gracious person.
The potluck lunch was a lovely mix of both Canadian and Chinese food. The Logos church had decorated the basement using Chinese New Year’s banners that translated read, “ We are celebrating the Chinese New Year by Praising God.”
A baby dedication was held on Feb. 12, welcoming five new babies to our congregation. Each parent read a prayer of dedication and Pastor David Funk said a prayer of blessing for the families.
We praise God for the confidence that people from all cultures, new believers, and young children can all take refuge and put their trust in the Almighty. All of us are welcome to find shelter under the shadow of His wings for life’s journey.
by Elaine Kroeker
WINNIPEG, Man.—Our first potluck of the year was a Chinese New Year event on Jan. 29 with the Winnipeg Logos Church. We are thankful that we can share our facility and do joint events with them several times a year.
For our service that day, a man within the Logos congregation shared his story of coming to faith in God this past year and being baptized at Thanksgiving by Pastor Len Harms. He shared about the many ways in which following Jesus was helping him make changes in his life. He said he has changed from being judgmental to becoming a more gentle and gracious person.
The potluck lunch was a lovely mix of both Canadian and Chinese food. The Logos church had decorated the basement using Chinese New Year’s banners that translated read, “ We are celebrating the Chinese New Year by Praising God.”
A baby dedication was held on Feb. 12, welcoming five new babies to our congregation. Each parent read a prayer of dedication and Pastor David Funk said a prayer of blessing for the families.
We praise God for the confidence that people from all cultures, new believers, and young children can all take refuge and put their trust in the Almighty. All of us are welcome to find shelter under the shadow of His wings for life’s journey.
by Dennis and Louella Friesen
KLEEFELD, Man. — Family and friends filled the sanctuary at the Kleefeld EMC on Oct. 30, 2016, to witness and support the four couples who were dedicating themselves to raise their children in the desire that they grow up to honour and glorify Christ. As a congregation we continue to support and encourage these young families and remember them in prayer.
A special deacon commissioning service took place at KEMC on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017. Elected to this role were Vik and Martha Sawatzky. Thanks, Vik and Martha, for accepting this responsibility, and we wish you the Lord’s blessings as your serve the church in this capacity.
Once a month the seniors at KEMC look forward to sharing a Sunday meal of soup, buns, and dessert. For the past several years this has been organized and prepared by Norm and Rosella Bartel, Leonora Koop, and Elma Fast. We express our appreciation to them for the excellent food and fellowship opportunity. This past year Darrin and Alvira Warkentin stepped in to take their place; and, on behalf of the seniors, we thank them for continuing this service. God bless!
by Desiree Krahn
PICTURE BUTTE, Alta.—Lately, it seems our congregation, Picture Butte Mennonite Church, is overflowing with brand new babies! It seemed only fitting to hold a child dedication ceremony on Oct. 2, 2016.
Lay minister Ben Dyck, together with his wife Maria, prayed for each child and their parents. His prayer was that the children would grow up to have a personal relationship with the Lord, and that their parents would know how to lead them in a Christ honouring way.
