EMMC Year End Summary 2024

The year 2024 has been a year of transition for EMMC. Lyn Dyck finished off 8 years as our executive director, and Terry Hiebert graciously filled in for eight months as interim executive director on a part time basis. Both of these men have finished well and left a positive impact on our conference. Since taking on the role of executive director in September of 2024, I have adapted to much of the behind the scenes work of the EMMC. This has proven to make me very appreciative of our dedicated staff, of our churches, and individual supporters. With 2024 being a year of transition, we have been lean on finances, thus making your partnership even more important. At the EMMC office we rely heavily on your prayer and financial support in the work of ministry. Together we are doing what we cannot do alone. Thank you so much for your support.

Staff & Board

The General Board and staff are making progress on our five-year plan, specifically focusing on leadership development, discipleship, and the initiation of next generation ministry. As part of this initiative, EMMC has partnered with SBC in what is called the Barnabas bursary. We are asking churches to nominate individuals from their congregation who have the potential of being pastors, and partnering with EMMC and SBC and sending these individuals to Bible school - equipping them for pastoral ministries.

Our next generation ministry has been approved by our General Board and Counsel in principle, and in the next few months staff will flesh out what this ministry will look like, and we will be looking for individuals to spearhead this much needed ministry.

Leadership

Kelly Lesser (Pastor of Care and Mission) is meeting pastors for encouragement and churches to assess their ministry effectiveness. Kelly, along with our Ministerial Council are working through issues of theology, specifically working through our Confession of Faith. We look forward to their feedback on this work in the near future. Morrow Gospel Church in Winnipeg, Blenheim EMMC in Ontario, Aylmer EMMC and Ontario have all recently hired new pastors, and we praise the Lord for His faithfulness. Mennonite Gospel Church in Vauxhall Alberta has hired an interim pastor, and continues to look for a full-time pastor, as does Gospel Fellowship Church in Steinbach, MB. Please join us in praying for understanding of God’s leading in these pastoral searches,

Antioch community ministries in Warman SK anticipate starting their Skateboard Ministry in early February and starting their church plant in early March. This is an exciting time for our Region 1 ministries. Please continue to hold them up in prayer.

Darrell Kehler (Director of Discipleship) has had a slower year in 2024, but is now looking at a busier season in 2025. He is hosting a Leading With Vision workshop with Mennonite Gospel Church in Vauxhall Alberta, with Glencross EMMC church in February, and anticipating more throughout 2025.

Missions

Our primary mission focus is still in Bolivia, more specifically on the Amanecer community. Amanecer is the newest ministry near the Belice colony in Bolivia with Ben and Bertha Kauenhofen serving as outreach pastor couple. Land for this ministry was purchased in 2023, and outreach has been ongoing since. Currently we are in the process of building a multi-purpose building which will be used for church services and outreach events. Abe and Margaret harder continued to give oversight to the overall Bolivian ministry and are doing a wonderful job.

LIEAB (La Iglesia Evangelica Anabautista de Bolivia) our Spanish speaking sister conference has a new leadership team with Fabri Tereba as president. LIEAB in the process of revisioning what outreach ministry would look like, as well as continuing to focus on leadership development.

Associate Missionaries: We have 27 missionaries, 23 partially funded by EMMC, and 2 are the waiting list.

Connection & Events

Our 2025 gathering will be held in Spanish Lookout, Belize March 21 - 23, with the theme of What if? Our focus will be on the Great Commission and making disciples for the work of ministry. You are invited to attend. To secure your spot, please visit emmc.ca and register.

Communications

We continue to tell our EMMC story through The Recorder, website, weekly Praise, Prayer & Pondering emails, monthly missions email, Facebook, Instagram.

The Christmas Gift Catalogue gained interest (though mailed late due to Canada Post strike) as people continue to find meaningful projects that helped advance God’s work in the EMMC.

There are ongoing requests for Low German school curriculum developed in Bolivia. Active interest in the EQUIP discipleship resources in several languages keeps us connected with churches beyond EMMC.

Finances

The EMMC General Council approved a budget for 2026-26 of $932,784, which is an increase from 2024-25. With our last year being a lower year in terms of donations, this increase means that we rely more closely on our partners for your continued support. Thank you in advance for your partnership.

Conclusion

God is at work, and we want to be ready to join in His work. We look to our congregations and individuals to support important ministries with generous gifts. Your partnership enables EMMC to connect the churches and continue making disciples of Jesus.

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:3-6

Need more details? Read the latest issue of The Recorder HERE

This report was distributed to all EMMC churches, and may appear in some congregation annual report books.