Board of Evangelism: Gaining momentum

Peter Nikkel, Ewald Unruh

In reflection on the past year, we are impressed with the growing awareness of our partnership across the country. Thank you for your help through your prayers and financial resources.

Atlantic Canada

Our vision for a regional association of churches in Atlantic Canada is gaining momentum:

* Atlantic church membership grew by 15% this past year.
* A greater percentage of members are long-time Atlantic residents.
* Pastoral leaders now number eight, with four of the pastors from Atlantic Canada.
* While developing the strength of each of their churches, the pastors are having an increasingly respected role in encouraging renewal among pastors and churches across denominations.

There have also been a number of recent staff developments:
* Scott Mealey began as a church planting apprentice at River of Life Church in Riverview/Moncton, N.B. The plan is for Scott to begin planting "a church within a church" or a totally separate church in Moncton.

* J.B. Robertson was appointed church planter earlier this year in Halifax. He is developing a team of people as a core group. They have begun preview services and are initially meeting on Sunday evenings.

* Abe and Helen Block resigned from their ministry at Restigouche Valley Church in Campbellton, N.B. in May due to health reasons. They are now living in Lethbridge, Alta. We extend our sincere thanks for their ministry. Bill Jewett, a native of Campbellton and a graduate of Ontario Bible College, began as pastor on Sept. 1, 1997. Bill had served at the church in various ways over the last year, including this summer as interim pastor.

Youth Mission International

The Board of Evangelism continues to be a supporting partner in YMI (with MB Missions/Services and the US MB Conference). God is blessing this ministry as it fulfills its mandate to raise up a new generation of leaders. This is being done on three levels under the overall leadership of Randy Friesen:

* SOAR: This is a ministry for high school students led by Phil Serez. Over 200 participants were involved in California and Mexico this past summer.

* ACTION: This is a ministry for post-high school participants. This program gave participants two options: winter and summer.

* TREK: YMI launched this new ministry training initiative in September, 1997, with 29 participants committing to a nine-month ministry. The first two months are an intensive training time focussing on personal discipleship, the church and cross-cultural ministry. Steve Klassen is directing this project.

Building Healthy Churches Across Canada

The Evangelism office provides a variety of resources and consultation services to existing churches and provincial conferences in the areas of church growth and church planting strategies. We are also participating in the Canadian Conference ReFocusing Network System initiative.

* The biggest need is finding qualified church planters. We are actively developing strategies for recruitment.

* The Board of Evangelism, along with about 10 other Mennonite Brethren will be participating in the first-ever congress devoted entirely to church planting in Canada. Church Planting Congress '97 will take place in Toronto, Oct. 27-30.

* Progress toward our cooperative goal of planting 60 new churches in Canada between 1995 and 2000 is as follows: In 1996, 13 churches joined the conferences. There are another 15 newly chartered or emerging churches. To reach our goal, we will need to accelerate our church planting by planting at least 32 churches in the next three years. Peter Nikkel, Board Chair, Ewald Unruh, Director

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