Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 38, No. 8 Home Page
Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary has named its first two appointments to the new MBBS-BC at Associated Canadian Theological Schools (ACTS) in Langley, B.C.
Bruce L. Guenther of Hepburn, Sask. has been appointed assistant professor of church history, effective fall 1999. Peter H. Enns has been appointed half-time B.C. Centre program director and associate dean, effective July 1999.
Since last fall, MBBS's B.C. Centre has been negotiating to become a full partner in the ACTS consortium. ACTS is the graduate theological school of Trinity Western University. MBBS President Henry Schmidt said an agreement with ACTS should be finalized by Apr. 15. Final approval rests with the MBBS board Apr. 22-24 and the B.C. MB Conference Apr. 30-May 1.
Guenther, a Ph.D. candidate at McGill University in Montreal, has a Master of Christian studies degree from Regent College in Vancouver, a B.A. from Winnipeg Bible (Providence) College in Otterburne, Man. and a diploma from Millar Bible Institute (Millar College of the Bible) in Pambrun, Sask. He also has studied at Canadian Theological Seminary in Regina and at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon.
For the past two years, Guenther has been a lecturer at the University of Saskatchewan and an adjunct professor at Briercrest Biblical Seminary and Briercrest Bible College in Caronport, Sask. He has also taught at Regent College, McGill University, St. Andrew's College in Saskatoon and Bethany Bible Institute in Hepburn.
In recent years, Guenther has been running his family's farm following a sudden illness of his father. He said the rural setting has enhanced his research for his dissertation, the final step toward completing his Ph.D. His dissertation is a study of a populist form of Protestantism in Western Canada, a project which has enabled him to study the many evangelical Bible schools which dotted the prairies during the first half of the 20th century.
Schmidt called Guenther's appointment a plus for both MBBS and ACTS.
Guenther said he felt privileged to be able to teach his favourite subjects and to be a part of a "pioneering venture in Mennonite Brethren theological education".
Guenther and his wife, Lois, have three children, Cameron, 10, Karyn, 9, and Kyle, 4.
Peter H. Enns, a resident of Abbotsford, B.C., is currently teaching at Lithuania Christian College in Klaipeda, where he previously served as interim president and instructor. He has an M.Ed. from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash. and a B.A. from the University of British Columbia. He also studied at Mennonite Educational Institute in Abbotsford and Vancouver Normal School in the 1950s.
Enns has a long history in education, serving Abbotsford Senior Secondary School 1993-94, Columbia Bible Camp in 1992, and as an elementary school principal and teacher in B.C. 1954-1990. He also has served Bakerview MB Church, where he was a charter member in 1953, and was secretary of the B.C. MB Conference and the Canadian MB Conference.
Schmidt commended Enns for his track record in B.C., his skilled administrative work, his teaching and his heart for the MB church.
Enns and his wife Joan have four grown children: Doug, pastor of Saanich Community Church in Victoria; Dale, a grocery store worker; Christine, a child care worker in Winnipeg; and Charleen, a travel agent; and they have four grandchildren.--Kent H. Gaston, MBBS
Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 38, No. 8 Home Page