Elim Bible School - Yearbook (Altona, Manitoba Canada)

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Mutena, Tshikapa, Belgian Congo, Africa. I deem it a special privilege to have had a part in the Missionary Conference at Elim Bible School. The sincere interest in mission work shown by the Student body has been an inspiration to me. May it please God to call many from among this group to serve Hirn. The Bantu people of the Belgian Congo are very receptive to the gospel and it has been our privilege to sow the seed through the avenues of the school program. We have spent two terms on the field and hope to be able to return for a third term within five months. Our home is in Kansas where we received our degrees from Bethel College at North Newton. I shall long remember the warm fellowship we have had at Elim. May God richly bless the school and manifest Himself in future Conferences. Sincerely, in Hirn, George B. Neufeld. Jake Hoeppner Nettie Penner We have been serving under the Western Gospel Mission since 1953, at Dominion City, Manitoba. God’s command “Go ye” was heard, and by His grace we were led forth to serve about four hundred Indians, and also a community of white people. The question “Why do mission work?” is answered in Christ’s imperative command, Mark 16:15, 16, which still Stands and rings out. Jesus Christ was keenly aware of the dire need in His time. Today this need is greater than ever. Countless numbers of people all around the globe are suffering and dying because of the lack of medical aid. The material need is even more overwhelming; they do not know how to provide for their daily existence, and consequently die of starvation. This may well move us to compassion, but greatest of all is their spiritual need. Multitudes are doomed to a Christless eternity, with no knowledge of Hirn, “the Bread of Life.” Then, lastly, the Good Tidings must be proclaimed to duly glorify the Father (John 15:8). It now is the Obligation and privilege of every born-again believer to do mission work in his Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria, or unto the uttermost parts of the world (Acts 1:8). Christ has ordained us to go and bring forth fruit (John 15:16) to meet the desperate needs of a lost, sin-sick and perishing humanity. Jake Hoeppner. 16

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Unsere Missionskonferenz Die Missionswoche ist so zu sagen der Höhepunkt des Schuljahres. Lehrer und Studenten schauen betend aus nach diesen Tagen, wo der Herr uns durch verschiedene Missionare, wieder aufmerksam macht auf die vielen Menschen, die das Evangelium noch nicht gehört haben; und die grosze Not, die in der Welt ist, und auf unsere grosze Verantwortung als Christen, Gott und Menschen gegenüber. Die Missionskonferenz wurde vom 22. bis zum 24. Februar in diesem Jahr abgehalten. Der Herr erhörte unsere Gebete und schickte uns die richtigen Arbeiter, die uns vieles mitteilten aus ihrer Arbeit auf den Missionsfeldern. Aber nicht nur das, sie führten uns tiefer in das Wort Gottes hinein und wir wurden reichlich gesegnet. Die Arbeiter, die uns in diesem Jahre dienten, sind wie folgt: Prediger George Neufeld, Belgien Congo, Afrika; Prediger Orlando Waltner, Indien; Geschwister Norman Bartels, Mexiko; Schwester Vernelle Yoder, Colombia; Geschwister Larry Klippensteins, Matheson Island; Bruder Jake Hoeppner, Dominion City; und die Schwestern Nettie Penner und Sara Gerbrandt, beide Graduaten von der Elim Bibelschule, die auch in Dominion City arbeiten. Lehrer J. A. Wiebe gab eine Uebersicht über die Arbeit der Mennonite Pioneer Mission im Norden Manitobas. Von dem Vielen, das geboten wurde, wollen wir nur auf einiges hinweisen. “Nicht die Missionare werden die Arbeit beendigen” sagte Bruder Waltner, sondern, “Wir müssen eine Kirche haben die gebrauch macht von den Fähigkeiten aller Gemeindeglieder.” Ferner musz es eine Kirche sein die im Geiste der Erwartung lebt. Wir müssen überzeugt sein, dasz Gott groszes tun kann und es auch von ihm erwarten, dasz er es tun wird. Die Kirche müsz aber auch eine solche sein, deren Glieder ernst und brünstig beten. Unter anderm betonte Bruder Neufeld, dasz Afrika von den Afrikanern wird evangelisiert werden müssen, und unsere Aufgabe ist sie für diese Arbeit vorzubereiten. Auch haben die Brüder J. M. Pauls, G. Groening, H. Poettker durch ihre sehr guten Darbietu ngen die Missionskonferenz mannigfaltiger und wertvoller gemacht. Durch dieses alles haben wir eine tiefere Einsicht bekommen in die Missionsarbeit, die getan wird und noch getan werden soll. Diese Tage haben zu einem jeden persönlich und auch zu den Gemeinden geredet und wir sind angespornt worden, mehr für unsern Herrn zu tun. Anna Sawatzky. From early youth I feit God’s call to the mission field. There was no doubt in my mind as the bürden remained with me during the preparatory years which were ahead. Those were precious years of training in which God step by step led me. Upon finishing my College work I was asked to go to Colombia as a teacher. As missionary teacher one first prays: “Teach me thy way, O Lord.” Then in word and deed he seeks to be a real witness and influence in the molding of the precious lives of the children. Through Bible classes as well as studies and classroom activities the child learns to know Christ as his Saviour and Lord. The desire is to see them grow in their Christian life and that they remain true although there is Opposition. “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.”—Psalm 34:11. Vernelle Yoder. 15

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That God has through His Son Jesus Christ, forgiven my sins and made available to me His friendship, I would ever remain grateful. That He has called me to others, and especially the people of India, that Christ died to bring to all His abundant life, has brought much joy to me. Through God-fearing parents, through visiting ministers and missionaries, through God’s answer in meeting a physical ailment, the conviction gradually crystallized that I was called to India. My wife and I have seen God’s abundant grace working in behalf of lepers in the Champa leprosarium. We have seen God breaking in upon darkened hearts and lives of people living in the villages of India. To such who have permitted His grace to enter their lives, has come peace and joy passing all understanding. Because we know that Jesus is the sole answer to the needs of men’s hearts, we count it a privilege to preach Jesus Christ in whom alone is life eternal. O. A. Waltner. Under The Northern Lights Our dear Christian Friends: In the pages of the Old Testament we come across a searching command in the words of our Lord given through Hosea, the prophet: “Break up the fallow ground” (10:12). Is not this a keen challenge to get around to God’s business with our still unused yet potentially powerful strength as disciples of a living Saviour? What is your “fallow ground?” Which of YOUR talents remain buried in the soil of human timidity, fleshly indifference or even stubborn rebellion and disobedience to Christ? We appreciate very much your intercessory praying interest, and active participation in the “breaking of fallow ground” in northern Manitoba. There is great need for cultivation, sowing, tending and reaping among the erring souls of our northern natives. We want to wish you the Lord’s most abundant blessings in your term at E.B.I., and His perfect guidance into fruitful service through your entire lives. “There’s a place for earnest workers In the vineyard of your Lord; Plant your seed and reap your harvest, And gain the blessings of His Word.” Kept in His grace, LaVerna and Larry Klippenstein. Service in Mexico As Christians we can often not understand the ways that the Lord leads us and are even at times prone to pass judgment on His leading. Would that we could always say with the Psalmist when he reveals his dedication to God in Psalm 119:5: “O that my ways were directed to keep thy Statutes.” Having been with us in our educational preparations, the Lord continued to lead in our lives. We were desirous to be in the way of His direction and so in 1954 we followed His leading into full-time Service in Mexico. Our task was to be that of teaching boys and girls not only to read and write but also to walk in the Way of Life. Düring these two years of Service, the Lord did bless and gave us deep satisfaction of fulfilling His commands. At the same time we feit the desire to be better trained for the work that He was giving us to do. Accordingly in August, 1956, we temporarily returned for a period of College work. As His grace has been with us in times past so we know it will continue even in the future. We trust that as we seek His Will, He will be pleased to use us for the winning of souls for Hirn. Norman and Mary Bartel. 17