CPE reorganizes

Abbotsford, B.C.

Church Partnership Evangelism, the Abbotsford, B.C.-based mission organization has reorganized its structure so that it now falls solely under an Administrative Committee of Mennonite Brethren Missions/Services rather than under the King Road (MB Church) Missions Committee. However, the committee will always have one member from King Road MB Church.

The King Road Missions Committee and MBM/S had worked under a partnership agreement since early 1995, with MBM/S representative Steve Klassen sitting on the King Road Missions Committee. Prior to that, the ministry operated as a church project under the supervision of the King Road MB Church Missions Committee.

The change in structure comes because of the rapid growth of the ministry; 10 campaigns were conducted in 1996, at least 13 are planned for 1997.

CPE conducts two- to three-week door-to-door evangelistic campaigns in cooperation with local churches. The campaigns also include evangelistic preaching services. This year's schedule includes campaigns in the Philippines, Nicaragua, Peru, India, Zaire, Ukraine, Paraguay, Peru, Fiji, Russia, Argentina and India.

CPE's first campaign was in February, 1993 to Paraguay, resulting in 230 people becoming Christians. A group including CPE founder Peter Loewen of Clearbrook, B.C. earlier travelled to Paraguay in June, 1992 to meet with local church representatives. Strategy for the February outreach was planned with three local MB churches and one Alliance church.

This strategy of networking with local churches continues in the present campaigns. In fact, the statement of strategy for CPE requires that consultation with the national church and missionaries in preparation for the campaign be conducted on the field at least four to six months in advance.

The strategy also requires each CPE participant to team up with a national Christian for personal door-to-door evangelism.

Follow-up is done by the local church through personal relationships, Bible studies or by existing follow-up programs of the local church.

The present CPE administrative committee consists of chairman Nick Dyck of Central Heights MB Church, executive director Peter Loewen of King Road MB Church, secretary Dan Nickel of Bakerview MB Church, treasurer Art Van Klei of Sardis (B.C.) Community Church, John Friesen of King Road MB Church, Hedy Reimer of South Abbotsford MB Church, Melvin Davis of Seven Oaks Alliance Church, Rudy Thiessen of Northview MB Church, Irwin Koehn of Good News Fellowship (Blaine, Wa.), John Letkemann of Mountain Park Community Church and MBM/S representative Steve Klassen.

from CPE release

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