Training centre proposed

VANCOUVER, B.C.

On January 2, 1996 four Mennonite Brethren agencies met together to consider a vision for a potential missions and discipleship centre. Harold Ens of Mennonite Brethren Missions/Services (MBM/S) coordinated the consultation, which also included representatives of the Canadian MB Conference Board of Evangelism, Mission USA (an agency of the US MB Conference) and Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary (MBBS).

The four agencies discussed a proposal written by Ray Harms-Wiebe and Steve Klassen. Harms-Wiebe is a missionary with MBM/S in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Steve Klassen serves as constituency ministries secretary for MBM/S in Canada. The vision calls for a training centre to emerge in the greater Vancouver area of British Columbia that is "MB-based but kingdom-oriented". The centre would offer participants a one-year program of evangelistic, cross-cultural and spiritual training in preparation for ministry in North America and around the world. The centre would work closely with MB churches which minister to immigrant groups; the centre would provide enthusiastic volunteers to work in the churches, and the churches would provide mentors to help disciple the volunteers. Columbia Bible College has also expressed some interest in networking with the centre. The centre would target alumni of such short-term outreaches as Youth Mission International, potential MBM/S missionaries and anyone else interested in training in discipleship and evangelism. Recent high school grads would not be targeted.

At the January 2 consultation, the four agencies discussed the proposal and decided to take it to their respective boards for feedback. To date:

  • MBM/S has affirmed the concept and committed $10,000 for 1997-98 and 1998-99.
  • The Canadian Conference Board of Evangelism has tentatively committed $10,000 for 1997-98.
  • MB Biblical Seminary has indicated its willingness to contribute some faculty time.
  • The Mission USA board has not yet had an opportunity to study or discuss the proposal. Chair Chuck Buller has placed it high on the agenda for the July meeting in Colorado Springs.

    The centre organizers have not attempted to do other fundraising. However, at their joint Good Friday services this year, the Mennonite Brethren churches in Surrey, B.C. took an offering for the project, raising over $1300.

    It has been proposed that the centre be accountable to the Center for Training in Mission/Evangelism, a commission of MB Biblical Seminary which also relates to MBM/S, Mission USA and the Canadian Board of Evangelism. Copies of the full five-page proposal are available, on request, from Steve Klassen at the B.C. MB Conference office, 302-32025 Dahlstrom Ave., Abbotsford, B.C. V2T 2K7.

    Steve Klassen

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