Missionaries in North American
Dylan & Jenna Brauner | Tony & Janet Ens | Marsden & Mandy Giesbrecht | Travis & Krystalyn Harms | Gord & Beckie Klassen | Tyson Murray | Lori & Dan Neufeld | Shawn & Nathalie Reeve | Art Schroeder | Andrew & Amie Reimer | Wes & Carol Schellenberg | Taylor & Julia Stutts | Harvey & Brenda Thiessen | Tami Zacharias
Missionaries in Oceania
Dave & Cheri Bartsch | Murray & Carol Honsberger | Carl & Pat Whitehead
Missionaries in South & Central America
Scott & Patsy Buhler | Pete & Cathy Dyck | Diedrich & Nettie Friesen | Guillermo & Mary-Ann Reddekopp | Wilf & Margaret Unrau
Missionaries in Africa
Missionaries in Europe
Missionaries in Asia
EMMC AND ASSOCIATE MISSIONS
From the start of the EMMC Conference outreach and involvement in missions has been a strong priority for leaders and members. Only a few short years after the formation of what was then the Rudnerweider Mennonite Church leaders sought to send out the first missionary. That missions emphasis continues, and as a relatively small conference of churches it is not possible to provide the finances and administrative oversight for all the individuals and families who feel God’s call to full-time missions whether locally, perhaps nationally, and also internationally.
To maintain a contact and to offer some ongoing support, both in prayer and financially, an Associate Missionary program was introduced. With this we are able to provide a continuing amount of financial support from the Conference missions budget to workers in various fields of service. Currently, about 20 couples/individuals are receiving this support.
Looking to join our Associate Missionaries
Missionaries in North America
DYLAN & JENNA BRAUNER
We are Jenna and Dylan Brauner, and we currently live at Camp Cedarwood with our son Eli. What a wonderful winter it has been so far to be living in the woods! I (Jenna) served my first summer at Camp Cedarwood in 2010, and Dylan in 2013. We served a few summers before taking a break, and then returning in 2017. We moved out to Cedarwood in December of 2018, and have been living here since.
Time Has Been Our Friend
We recently visited a missionary couple who moved to Whitehorse about a year ago. They asked us questions about how to make new contacts in a community. We shared a few things with them of what we found worked for us in our times in Pelly Crossing and Whitehorse, Yukon and Lac La Biche, Alberta. […]
New People to Church
The Lord has been bringing some new people to the Northern Collective Church (NCC). A new believer was recently baptized which was a special moment for our church family. We also had a Thanksgiving dinner, lingering around the tables to visit and getting to know each other better. A number in our group do not […]
MARSDEN & MANDY GIESBRECHT
Marsden & Mandy Giesbrecht serve with Healing Hearts Ministry as church planters in Nipawin, SK. Their home church is Sutherland Evangelical Church, Saskatoon, SK.
Over the course of our years in Nipawin, Sask., we have been in the process of building relationships that point to Christ. We have been preaching and teaching the Good News of our Saviour as God has prompted, and we will continue to do those things as the Lord directs.
Reconciliation…
Reconciliation: restoring broken relationships and making enemies into friends. Reconciliation has been on my mind a lot in recent days. There has been a lot of conflict in Eastern Canada between Mi’kmaq lobster fisherman, who are exercising their rights as outlined in our treaty agreements, and non-treaty lobster fisherman, who are fishing as outlined under […]
Conversation and response to God’s Word
It is difficult to describe what it feels like to have God provide vision, and then to watch Him make that vision a reality! We are so privileged to be able to watch Him at work. We are really feeling the effects of your prayers. A Fall renovation project provided us with a cozy living […]
Marsden and Mandy Giesbrecht
Healing Hearts Ministry Church Planting | Nipawin, Sask Home church: Sutherland Evangelical Church, Saskatoon, Sask. Over the course of our years in Nipawin, Sask., we have been in the process of building relationships that point to Christ. We have been preaching and teaching the Good News of our Saviour as God has prompted, and we […]
TRAVIS & KRYSTALYN HARMS
Travis & Krystalyn Harms serve with Interact Ministries of Canada in Thompson, MB. Travis mentors young men through Mid-Way Builders. His home church is Altona EMM Church, MB.
“Join in with what God is already doing”! While I was a student at Steinbach Bible College, I had the opportunity to serve in many different places and we were given this advice. It is prideful to think that God is not already at work wherever we are. We only need to ask for eyes to see and join God’s invitation to serve with Him. This advice has stayed with me all this time.
God Is Still Moving
Travis and Krystalyn Harms work with InterAct Ministries of Canada in Thompson, Manitoba. They enjoy camping, walking their family dog Rover, and exploring the hidden gems of Northern Manitoba! “Join in with what God is already doing”! While I was a student at Steinbach Bible College, I had the opportunity to serve in many different […]
Travis & Krystalyn Harms
I have come to the realization I have not sent out a newsletter for a meaningful period of time. In my defence, I did have a wedding I was preparing for. Krystalyn and I celebrated our union on May 30 in a small ceremony here in Thompson. We were quite determined to get married despite […]
Travis Harms
This last while, we spent a lot of time traveling to Nelson House, York Landing and Split Lake to hold Bible camp promotional events. In between all these events, we worked hard to prepare Midway Bible Camp facilities for the summer. Throughout the fall and winter we had been talking about ways to increase the […]
Hope To The Core
As Director of Gem Lake Wilderness Camp, facing the government mandate that overnight camps are not allowed to operate, my specific area of ministry, looks very different this year from what it has in the last 12 years. In January and February of 2020 life seemed normal when we held our usual five winter camps […]
Gord and Beckie Klassen
It has been a very full spring season up at Gem Lake Wilderness Camp, located in Nopiming Provincial Park, 250 km North of Winnipeg (past Lac du Bonnet). I just returned from the second of two work weekends hosting more than 35 volunteers who reshingled one of our largest buildings and helped to get camp […]
Locals working at camp!
Recently someone asked me what the biggest highlight of summer 2018 was. My answer was: the change that took place in our local leaders. Each week in summer we have 12 to 15 campers come to our island camp. We have three or four cabin groups, with about four campers per cabin. Each cabin has […]
LORI & DAN NEUFELD
Lori has been working with Inner City Youth Alive for the past 17 years in the Bridge Drop-in Program. The Bridge provides a safe and fun environment for kids and teenagers to connect with caring adults, learn and grow in faith, and develop leadership skills. Dan, Lori and Finley continue to navigate work and home life in the North End of Winnipeg, walking in faith through their journey in ministry.
My work as the Bridge Drop-in Director at Inner City Youth Alive has been altered in many ways over the course of the pandemic. I still connect with staff, support programs, and provide guidance and direction in our teen and children’s ministries, but I’ve also spent considerably more time knocking on doors and getting into the heart of the community. Connecting with parents and grandparents from six feet away has been a unique blessing during the challenges of this past year. The pandemic has hit all of us; affecting those on the margins especially hard. But it’s also brought us together. When the ICYA team checks in on a family and asks how they’re doing, we’re often asked the same questions in return. The concern goes both ways. While the desire to return to our regular programming is great, we’re continuing to see God at work in Winnipeg’s North End.
Walking In Faith
Lori has been working with Inner City Youth Alive for the past 17 years in the Bridge Drop-in Program. The Bridge provides a safe and fun environment for kids and teenagers to connect with caring adults, learn and grow in faith, and develop leadership skills. Dan, Lori and Finley continue to navigate work and home […]
Safe and Loving spaces for youth
I was reminded again recently that not everyone in the North End of Winnipeg sees Inner City Youth Alive the way I do. Our team works hard every day to create safe and loving spaces for youth to be themselves, be listened to, learn about God and to have fun. But not all of our […]
A wide open damaged door
Lori and Dan Neufeld Bridge Drop-In Coordinator (Lori) | Inner City Youth Live | North End, Winnipeg, Man. I had carved out an entire day to get this work done. Just me and my computer in our home office, working hard to create six thoughtful paragraphs, neatly organized and ready to mail to you, two […]
ANDREW & AMIE REIMER
Andrew & Amie Reimer serve with Inner City Youth Alive (ICYA) in Winnipeg as Director of Leadership Development, MB. Their home church is Altona EMM Church, MB.
This winter we built on the momentum from the youth Discipleship Group in fall by doing another 8-week series. This time the theme was “Sharing the Life” and focussed on how we can serve others and share our faith. We talked about it but we also found ways to put it into practice. One week we decided to go for a walk in our neighbourhood with a thermos of hot chocolate and cups offering a warm drink to those we met. The guys I walked with really enjoyed serving people in this way and did a great job of being both bold and kind in approaching people; they said it’s something they would want to do again.
Growing local leaders
When I returned from sabbatical in October I stepped into this new role, as a half-time position. I will also continue to serve half-time as a Community Minister. Director of Leadership Development is a role that has not existed at ICYA before, so it will continue to take shape in the coming months. I will […]
WES & CAROL SCHELLENBERG
Wes & Carol serve with Avant Ministries out of Winnipeg, MB, where Wes is the accountant. Their home church is Glencross Mennonite Church, MB.
The Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference has had a long-term relationship with Avant Ministries (formerly Gospel Missionary Union). Henry & Hazel Neudorf were the first EMMC/Avant missionaries; sent to Mali Africa in 1952. In 1958 another EMMC/Avant missionary was sent out – Carol’s father, George Wiebe. There are currently 5 EMMC members who are serving with Avant Ministries and are associate missionaries with the EMMC. Learn more about Avant by visiting avantministries.org or by watching a video on the history of the mission at https://vimeo.com/233520650.
Wes & Carol Schellenberg (Avant Ministries)
The Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference has had a long-term relationship with Avant Ministries (formerly Gospel Missionary Union). Henry & Hazel Neudorf were the first EMMC/Avant missionaries; sent to Mali Africa in 1952. In 1958 another EMMC/Avant missionary was sent out – Carol’s father, George Wiebe. There are currently 5 EMMC members who are serving with […]
Wes and Carol Schellenberg
Accountant Avant Ministries | Winnipeg, Man. Home church: Glencross Mennonite Church, Man. “Overwhelmed” is a good word to describe how we felt. Friends, neighbours, and colleagues were there to help load the moving truck in Calgary, Alberta and unload in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They worked hard, laughed a lot, and were an incredible encouragement to us. […]
Wes & Carol Schellenberg October 2018
“Overwhelmed” is a good word to describe how we felt. Friends, neighbours, and colleagues were there to help load the moving truck in Calgary, and unload in Winnipeg. They worked hard, laughed a lot, and were an incredible encouragement to us. We managed to fit everything into a 26’ U-Haul truck on a Wednesday, drive […]
TAYLOR & JULIA STUTTS
Taylor and Julia have been with YWAM for 13 years serving in a number ministry outreaches from Hawaii.
Taylor uses his gifts of leadership and administration to plan and direct discipleship and training programs internationally. The goal of these events is to have young people meet Jesus in a transformational way; in a way that will challenge and equip them to reach into high schools, universities, and neighborhoods.
Currently Taylor is working as Mobilization Director for large stadium events.
Taylor & Julia Stutts
Youth With A Mission Fire and Fragrance//The Send Huntington Beach, California On February 23, 2019 I witnessed something I had dreamed of all of my life. I was standing in a football stadium in Orlando, Florida with over 40,000 people and it wasn’t for a football game. It was people worshiping Jesus and hearing messages about the Great Commission. Nine months prior to this, seven ministries came together to collaborate to see if unprecedented unity could bring an unprecedented breakthrough in missions and evangelism. A new organization, “The […]
HARVEY & BRENDA THIESSEN
Harvey & Brenda Thiessen serve with Operation Mobilization. Harvey is the North America Base Leader and Brenda provides administrative support. Their home church is Winkler EMM Church, MB.
The Holy Spirit, however is borderless and there is a growing awareness of the power of a life like the couple I visited to continue to reach the ends of the earth. Thank you for your partnership as we help to strengthen workers like this. To find out how you can use your skills and profession (young or old!) register at scatterglobal.com
Harvey & Brenda Thiessen
Last year about this time, I joined my colleagues on a small island in Indonesia. The Area Leaders (senior leadership of the geographic zones in OM) meet 3 times per year to pray and seek the Lord in respect to the way forward for the mission. We prefer to meet in places like this island […]
account name: Shawn Reeve account #:11720
We Enjoy Ministering
We are Shawn and Nathalie Reeve. Along with our children Benjamin and Kaylee, we are missionaries with EMMC serving with Pioneers our sending agency. We enjoy ministering as a family and are so blessed to have you all as our church family! A special thank-you to Morrow Gospel, Bergfeld Mennonite Church, St. Pierre Bible Fellowship […]
WILF & MARGARET UNRAU
We are Wilfred and Margaret Unrau hailing from the lovely small town of Plum Coulee in southern Manitoba. Although many ministry needs abound in our home area, God has called us to make an impact for Him in numerous distant locations. For several years now, we have been working under Multi-nation Missions Foundation, working particularly with the Low German community in Mexico, Belize, and sometimes in Canada.
Go, Therefore!
We are Wilfred and Margaret Unrau hailing from the lovely small town of Plum Coulee in southern Manitoba. Although many ministry needs abound in our home area, God has called us to make an impact for Him in numerous distant locations. For several years now, we have been working under Multi-nation Missions Foundation, working particularly […]
Weekend trip into the Mountains
Bible school here in Steinreich has been quite intense. We are either doing homework or preparing classes and presentations, when we are not actually attending class or teaching. God has blessed us through so many wonderful new relationships. We continue to seek to have open hearts to learn through it all. Wilfred and the missions […]
Missionaries in Oceania
DAVE & CHERI BARTSCH
Dave & Cheri Bartsch serve with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Gold Coast, Australia. Their home church is Aylmer EMMC, ON.
My wife Cheri and I have been serving on the Gold Coast of Australia with YWAM for the past 18 years. And what an incredible journey it has been. The Gold Coast is such a significant part of Australia as it’s a port in which the world comes to our doorstep. With over 15,000 visitors every day and many of these being Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist, God has set up this incredible opportunity to share Jesus with thousands of people from all over the world.
Dave and Cheri Bartsch
My wife Cheri and I have been serving on the Gold Coast of Australia with YWAM for the past 18 years. And what an incredible journey it has been. The Gold Coast is such a significant part of Australia as it’s a port in which the world comes to our doorstep. With over 15,000 visitors […]
Role Change for Dave & Cheri
In May 2018, after serving with YWAM for 16 years in various roles, Cheri and I were asked to take on the directorship role of the YWAM centre for Gold Coast. We have felt amazing grace on us as we transitioned into this role with support from our co-workers. We had the incredible privilege of […]
Privilege of Training
Dave and Cheri Bartsch Director with YWAM | Gold Coast, Australia | Home church: Aylmer EMMC, Ontario | Elianna and Verity In May 2018, after serving with YWAM for 16 years in various roles, Cheri and I were asked to take on the directorship role of the YWAM centre for Gold Coast. We have felt […]
MURRAY & CAROL HONSBERGER
Murray & Carol Honsberger serve with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Papua New Guinea. Their home church is Altona EMM Church, MB.
Visiting with so many of you these past three months, both in Manitoba and Ontario has been a wonderful experience. We are extremely thankful to God for each of you. It’s been good to share our respective joys and challenges.
It is our desire to return to Papua New Guinea for one more term (likely 4 years), with a short visit home in-between. Before we can return, we need to be at 100% of our support quota. Could you please join us in praying for some new financial partners? If you would like more information feel free to ask.
Carl and Pat Whitehead
Bible Translation – Menya language Papua New Guinea Wycliffe Bible Translators Home church: Nassau Street Church, Winnipeg Man. Carl was able to spend nine weeks in Langley BC over the summer to serve on staff at the Canada Institute of Linguistics. It was a good opportunity for him to catch up on some of what […]
Missionaries in South & Central America
Let’s Chat!
Hello friends and family! Hands down, this has been our most unusual Home Assignment We have not reached out to each of you, as we have in the past, mostly wanting to respect each families’ dynamics in the midst of this pandemic. We have very much enjoyed the visits we’ve been able to have, but […]
Scott & Patsy Buhler
I am sitting in our 8,000 square foot home as I write this to you! No, we didn’t suddenly strike it rich; we are in transition, temporarily living in the Panapana! It literally takes an hour to sweep our “living room”! We’ve been having some good laughs about this being the largest house we will […]
Pete and Cathy Dyck
WEC International Church Planting Mexico “There are many plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that will prevail.” Proverbs 19:21 In the midst of all that is going on in our world today as it relates to COVID-19, what a comfort it is to know that God was not taken by […]
Diedrich and Nettie Friesen
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands. (Psalm 90:17) That is our prayer for ourselves as D’Friesens! We are very much aware that in and of ourselves we can accomplish nothing. It is only as God lives […]
GUILLERMO & MARY-ANN REDDEKOPP
Guillermo and Mary-Ann Reddekopp are serving as church planters under SIM in La Paz, Mexico. Their home church is Aylmer EMM Church, ON.
We have experienced answers to prayer in the past few months. Our house has become a home, our new car is running well, our Spanish and culture learning are progressing, relationships are building around us, I have received my permanent residency (Guillermo and the kids are already Mexican citizens) and there are so many more displays of God’s faithfulness.
Missionaries in Europe
Kristen Penner
My name is Kristen and I’m from the Bergfeld Mennonite Church in Manitoba. I’ve lived in Slovenia now for four years and am working with Avant ministries to plant a locally led church in Koper. These past few months have brought changes for all of us. I am currently in Canada since I was travelling […]
Much Rejoicing!
We are ending this year with much rejoicing! From seeing friends become new believers, to seeing Slovenes begin discipling each other, to talking about tithing in the new year as a church. God continues to do the hard work of changing hearts, and we walk alongside in faith and obedience. As I reflect on this […]
Missionaries in Asia
KEITH & LORILEE
Keith & Lorilee serve with Advancing Indigenous Missions. They are based in Canada and travel frequently to work with their mission partners in Asia. Their home church is Nassau Street Church.
Our mission, Advancing Indigenous Missions (AIM) is in the process of planning remote, virtual training via Zoom with our overseas partners in Asia. We have had a few test runs and the results have been positive. Reliable internet connection is not available in every location where our partners are serving, however, so we still have questions about how we can best connect in some locations. We would appreciate prayer for a fruitful teaching ministry this fall and that the Lord would help us with the technological challenges which will likely be a part of the process. We don’t envision that this Zoom ministry will be a long-term replacement for what we have been doing because our mission values the face-to-face, in person ministry we see encouraged in the New Testament (see Romans 1:11-12; 2 John 12; and 3 John 13-14).
We Are Thankful
After returning to Canada from Asia right when COVID-19 restrictions began taking effect worldwide, we have worked at adjusting to ministry under a new normal. At this point in the early fall, we typically would be in the middle of preparations to have me travel for ministry overseas again. These 3-week trips would include planning […]
The T Family
We the T family, from the Bergfeld Church continue to be engaged with helping/caring for our workers in Asia. We are presently locked into Canada due to not being able to return to Thailand. We came to Canada for a meeting in February and now are still not sure when we will be able to […]
