A 37-year mission career
MBM/S FINANCE DIRECTOR FRED EPP LOOKS BACK

Missionaries who lived through the turbulent era of Zaire's transition to independence in 1960 (when it changed from being the Belgian Congo) can sing the words of "Amazing Grace" with a certain painful intensity: "Through many dangers toils and snares, I have already come."

As the national military sought to drive out foreign influence, Fred Epp, then 29, along with dozens of other MBM/S workers, escaped under cover of darkness across the Zaire border into Angola. While their families departed for North America, a few men quietly made their way back into Zaire to assist the stunned national church. After several tense and dangerous months, another group replaced them. Some months later, Fred, who was single at the time, joined this group.

"In the fall and winter of 1961," he recalls, "I was the only missionary at Kajiji. I never felt alone. The people accepted me as part of their community. I enjoyed my varied responsibilities, which consisted of building and being a counsellor to the church."

Fred, who recently retired as Director of Finance after 37 total years of service with Mennonite Brethren Missions/Services, spent 16 years in Zaire, followed by 21 more years in administration.

He first responded to the call to mission at age 17, during the 50-year anniversary celebration of MB mission to India. After Bible training from Mennonite Brethren Bible College in Winnipeg, and accounting courses at the University of Manitoba, he volunteered for mission service in 1956 and arrived in the Belgian Congo in 1957.

Among those evacuated from Zaire were Walter and Irma Sawatsky and their two boys, Terry and Ed. The Sawatskys were later reassigned to Brazil. Then tragedy struck: Walter was killed in an auto accident in Montana. Sixteen months later, while Fred studied mathematics at Tabor College in Kansas, he learned that Irma Sawatsky was there also.

At Fred's retirement banquet, March 16 in Winnipeg, Irma shared how their acquaintance became friendship, then love. They became engaged in November, 1962, and married in Yarrow, B.C. in July, 1963.

Before the forced withdrawal from Zaire in 1960, Irma and her late husband had served as house parents at the Ecole Belle Vue, at that time a missionary school operated jointly by MBM/S and the Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission. In 1964, Irma and Fred assumed a similar responsibility for 23 children at the Mennonite Brethren hostel in Kinshasa. Fred was also in charge of purchasing and administration for the mission.

In 1969, Fred became treasurer and business manager of the American School in Kinshasa, where he set up the school's first accounting system. Two years later, he and Irma moved to Kikwit to work in the headquarters of the Zaire MB Conference.

"In 1971," Fred shares, "I was asked to be the first treasurer and assistant legal representative of the Zaire Mennonite Brethren Church. I was the only North American in the office and was responsible to a Zairian, Paul Nganga. We had a very good relationship." The two men, with others, attempted to bring Christian leaders together to form an Evangelical Fellowship of Zaire, but an opponent persuaded the president of Zaire not to sign the incorporation documents.

As he had done for the American school, Fred devised an accounting system for the conference. Both systems required innovative simplification so that subsequent Zairian treasurers could function without having to take special accounting courses.

The Multi-faceted Administrator

In 1975, MBM/S asked Epp to open its first Canadian office in Winnipeg. He accepted. As MBM/S Canadian representative, he supervised the Christian Service program and personnel in Canada, as well as handling all Canadian church relations. That role took him to most MB churches in the country once a year. He also tried to schedule a missionary in every church at least once a year, but, he observes, "This was impossible."

While still in church relations, he helped to set up the accounting system for MBM/S, which he taught to other office staff. In 1979, he was asked to take on the accounting responsibility himself, in addition to Canadian church relations. For one year, he managed both, but, receiving help in 1980, he could concentrate on finances and recruitment.

For 16 years, Epp superintended the financial operations of the total MBM/S mission. The international scope of the mission's financial transactions involves dozens of currencies, banking in over 20 countries and constant attention to economic conditions in each.

In 1992, the position title changed to director of finance. As MBM/S decentralized regional administration of its worldwide program, Fred was asked to oversee the management of six MBM/S offices on four continents. At his retirement, the position was again restructured.

Asked to highlight the accomplishments which gave him special satisfaction during his tenure, Epp recounted how he had:

  • set up imprest expense accounts for missionaries so that they no longer had to use their own funds for mission expenses and later get reimbursed;
  • developed a pension system;
  • computerized the accounting and personnel records;
  • obtained adequate group insurance and disability policies for workers.

    MBM/S general director Harold Ens paid tribute to Fred as "a diligent, tireless worker for the cause of global mission--someone who has improved the quality of our missionaries' lives and greatly assisted them in their daily work".

    The Retiree

    After years of heavy workload, Fred has decided to relax during the first few months of retirement--with "no major responsibilities". For the moment, family will take priority. The Epps' son Terry and his wife Cathy, with MCC, live in Kinshasa, Zaire with their infant daughter, and will move to Akron, PA in July to assume responsibility for an African department of MCC. Son Ed and wife Norilynn and two children, as well as the Epps' daughter Darlene Loewen, husband Ted and their son live in Winnipeg.

    Eventually Fred and Irma hope to participate in "short-term ministries where people can be helped, encouraged or taught skills". Last November, they visited Zaire, where they presented workshops, stewardship seminars and other Bible teaching.

    Gary Hardaway, MBM/S Communications and Public Relations

    Return to the M.B. Herald Vol. 35, No. 13 Home Page