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Fresno, Calif.
MBBS grads challenged to rejoice in God’s call


On May 18, 28 graduates of MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif. were challenged by Doug Rumford of Tyndale Publishers to “rejoice in God’s call, abide in Him and bear fruit that will last”.

Class of 2000, MB Biblical Seminary, Fresno, Calif.

Rumford, who is the author of several books, based his message, “Staying Connected”, on John 15. Rumford is a former pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Fresno and has served as an adjunct professor at MBBS.

“The work of ministry is never what you expect,” he said, “No matter what area you serve in, you will be surprised at how much ministry will give you that you never would have expected.”

Rumford told a boyhood story about the time he insisted on ordering liver and onions at a restaurant because of the tantalizing smell of cooked onions. However, when his order arrived, he couldn’t stand the taste. “There will be “liver-and-onion” times in ministry, times of growing tensions between your ideals and reality. You will experience periods of constant demand on your heart, soul, mind and body; when you try to sleep but cannot. You may experience attacks of the world, the flesh and the devil that you never knew before, times when you face an overwhelming sense of inadequacy.”

The rewards of serving the church are great as well, he pointed out. “You will have the privilege of being involved with people at the most meaningful times in their lives. You will have the blessing of people, of being prayed for. You will be doing something significant.”

The key to faithful service is staying connected, as illustrated in the “vine and branches” portion of John 15. The passage speaks of connection to God and people, Rumford said. He urged the graduates to stay connected to God by refusing to “love the work of the Lord more than the Lord of the work”, and to stay connected to people by refusing to keep them at a distance.

Student responses were presented by Laura Kalmar of Vancouver and James Bergen of South Surrey, B.C.

Kalmar, using the story of Jacob wrestling with God, said, “Here at MBBS, the Spirit grabbed us and wrestled with us – intellectually, theologically, spiritually, physically and emotionally. God met us through professors who were insightful, challenging, wise and not afraid to share their own weaknesses. Also [God met us] through dear friends, lifelong companions, life-impacting mentors or families who ‘adopted’ us. To all these we say thank you.”

Bergen encouraged graduates to follow in the footsteps of Samuel, who paused to reflect on Israel’s victory over the Philistines by setting up an Ebenezer stone, saying “Thus far has the Lord helped us,” Bergen said, “May the ceremony this afternoon act as an Ebenezer, where we not only celebrate an achievement and victory, but also the One who made it all possible.”

Canadian graduates receiving Master of Divinity degrees were James Bergen of South Surrey; Lynnette Friesen of Vancouver; Laura Kalmar of Vancouver; Paul Loewen of Saskatoon; and Jeanine Yoder of St. Catharines, Ont. Canadians receiving Master of Arts degrees were Brent Esau of St. Catharines; and Randy Thompson of Abbotsford, B.C. Receiving a Diploma was Katherine Henshaw of Edmonton.

 – Kent H. Gaston, MB Biblical Seminary

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Last modified July 16, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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