Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 37, No. 20 Home Page
Dyck helped further the mission partnership with national churches and conferences around the world. Under his leadership, Pakisa Tshimika from Congo, Franz Rathmair from Austria and Miguel Forero from Colombia (effective January 1, 1999) were hired as the first three international members of MBMSI's administrative team.
Initially, Dyck was secretary for development, relief and related ministries, integrating social ministry with evangelistic and church planting ministries.
Previously, he worked for MCC, including many years as coordinator of Canadian programs and three years with his wife Millie as teachers in Zambia.
Meanwhile, Olfert will accept a private sector job in Winnipeg. His position has been consolidated into Associate Director of Finance and Support Services. The new position, which is currently unfilled, will be based out of the office in Fresno, Calif.
Since joining MBMS International in June 1996, Olfert updated the agency's computerized accounting systems, including set-up of a computer network. He created a donor database, reorganized the reporting system for Canadian and US donations, and simplified both administrative budgeting and financial reporting by missionaries.
Previously, Olfert was controller for Youth for Christ for two years and Mutual Fund Accountant for Investors Group for three years. He graduated from University of Winnipeg in 1991.
Russell Schmidt has been appointed to fill two half-time positions: assistant program director of Asia and mission mobilizer for churches in the mid-western US. He will work out of an office in Wichita, Kan.
As mobilizer, Schmidt will work with churches to build greater awareness and support of missions, and will encourage churches to call members to active service. As program director for Asia, he will develop and evaluate MBMSI's mission efforts in Asia, and will work with missionary team leaders to coordinate the work of missionaries throughout Asia.
Schmidt assumed the position after serving six years as an MBMSI missionary among the Khmu people in Thailand, where he and his wife Elizabeth developed agricultural projects, assisted church planters and trained church leaders. Prior to that, he worked for four years with immigrant Khmu people at Butler MB Church in Fresno, Calif.
The Schmidts ended their overseas missionary service in May. The new position will be phased in this fall, with the Wichita office opening in January 1999.
Brad Thiessen, MBMS International
Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 37, No. 20 Home Page