Henry Schmidt, a man for such a time as this

On September 13, 2002, Dr. Henry Schmidt announced his resignation as president of Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, effective June 15, 2003 (see MBH, Oct. 4). Dr. Schmidt became the sixth president of the MBBS in Fresno, California in 1993, having served on the faculty of MBBS for a total of 34 years. Board of Directors’ Chair Cal Bergen says, “Schmidt has been a strong leader over the past decade, and has reshaped the Seminary, bringing it closer spatially and philosophically to our constituencies.”

Although he entered the office of the President reluctantly, Schmidt grew into the role and distinguished himself as a leader in changing times. Faculty, staff, students, and constituents alike found him to be deeply committed to personal, spiritual, and institutional growth as well as characteristically candid with his convictions. He remained true to his pastoral heart during his presidency and demonstrated a genuine interest in people throughout the length and breadth of the Mennonite Brethren constituency.

Highlights of Schmidt’s tenure as president include: an open door into the hearts and minds of Mennonite Brethren throughout North America; the recruitment and development of an effective Board of Directors; attracting younger faculty while retaining the experience and wisdom of veterans; the creation of a comprehensive donor development plan; the securing of a 1.6 million dollar grant from Lilly Foundation for the development of a system calling young women and men to consider vocational ministry in the church; and the re-engineering of the MBBS educational delivery system from that of a single campus in Fresno to multiple campuses throughout North America (Fresno, Calif.; Langley, B.C.; Winnipeg, Man.).

Although Henry has had a rich and distinguished career, he has never forgotten his western Canadian roots. He was born into a farming family in Grande Prairie, Alberta and graduated from Grande Prairie High School. Undoubtedly the remoteness of northern Alberta, the farming community’s intimate connection to the land, and the long winters shaped Henry’s values. A need for both private space and for community, a deep respect for farmers and their common sense approach to life, and a love of hockey remain to this day. He went on to study at Coaldale (Alta.) Bible School and Bethany Bible Institute in Hepburn, Sask., before earning a Bachelor of Theology degree from MBBC in Winnipeg.

Henry married Elvera A. Langemann in 1960. After graduation Henry and Elvera and their daughter Debra moved to Onida, SD, where between 1964 and 1969 Henry served the Emmanuel MB Church as pastor. A second daughter, Laura, was born during this time. Henry enjoyed pastoral ministry and to this day speaks with fondness of this chapter of his life.

In 1970 the family moved to Fresno, Calif., where Henry pursued a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Fresno Pacific College. He then entered MB Biblical Seminary, where he received a Master of Divinity degree in 1972. Henry distinguished himself while at MBBS, receiving the Academic Award, as well as the Sermon Award from Decision Magazine. While at MBBS, he also served as interim pastor at Neighborhood Church in Visalia and Rosedale Bible Church in Bakersfield.

Henry always assumed that after graduation he would return to the pastorate, but instead was asked to become Executive Director of Evangelism for the US MB Conference, serving in this capacity until 1977. He remained connected to the classroom, serving as Adjunct Professor in Evangelism at MBBS during this time. He became the first professor of the J.B. Toews Chair of Evangelism/Mission at MBBS in 1988.

In 1981 Henry graduated with a doctorate from University of Southern California in Los Angeles Religion and Social Ethics department. Upon the completion of his studies, he returned to teaching at MBBS full-time, serving as Professor of World Mission. His areas of teaching included missions, urban studies, culture and social ethics. In 1985, he was appointed Director for the Center for Training in Mission/Evangelism.

However, Henry was not content to teach only principles of evangelism and church planting. Between 1982 and 1985, he served as part of a church planting team for Fig Garden Bible Church in Fresno. Henry also had a deep and pastoral interest in students. He met consistently with a group of three to five handpicked students on a weekly basis for mentoring, prayer, interaction, support and study. He also often invited students to accompany him in local church and constituency ministries.

His contributions to denominational and community work have been varied. He has served as vice-chair of Planning Committee for the Inter-Mennonite Evangelism Alive ‘85 Conference; chair of the US Conference of MB Churches; on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity Fresno; and member of the Fresno Area Mission Network Commission.

Henry is rarely without a book in his briefcase, indicative of his need for ongoing stimulation. He reads voraciously, pen or highlighter in hand. His bookshelves spill over onto the floor as volumes yet to be read pile up. Henry has made his own authorial contributions. In 1980 he edited Conversion: Doorway to Discipleship (Hillsboro: Board of Christian Literature); in 1986 he edited Witnesses of a Third Way: A Fresh Look at Evangelism (Elgin: Brethren Press).

He has contributed chapters to various volumes, including: “Realizing the Vision Through Evangelism.” in The Seminary Story: Twenty Years of Education in Ministry. ed. A.J. Klassen; “The Mennonite Brethren Peace Witness” in The Power of the Lamb. eds. John E. Toews and Gordon Nickel; and “Global Urbanization: The New Frontier in World Mission.” in Reflection and Projection: Missiology at the Threshold of 2001. eds. Hans Kasdorf and Klaus W. Mueller.

Henry has been a frequent contributor of probing articles and book reviews to Christian Leader and MB Herald, as well as Witness and Direction. In all, more than two dozen articles have been contributed over the last 20 years, in diverse subjects. His articles are typically candid, confessional and pastoral at heart.

Whether as professor, preacher or fundraiser, Henry has touched many Mennonite Brethren around the world and he loves to make time for interaction with each in his travels. His overstuffed luggage often includes gifts of books, oranges, grapes, or pistachios for friends.

His presidency has been marked by travel, with Henry logging more than 150 days away from home annually. It is this travel schedule, coupled with irregular hours, eating habits and exercise patterns, that have taken their toll on him so that one of the Schmidts’ interests is a more regulated lifestyle and ministry, as well as travel together.

But this travel schedule has also placed Henry in many homes away from home and resulted in friendships forged far and wide. Henry is widely known and respected in Mennonite Brethren constituencies in North America and beyond. His 6’ 3” frame, angular gait and trademark white wavy hair set him apart from his peers. Referring to the latter feature, one young kindergarten child noted that he had seen Henry on the movie Back to the Future (a reference to Dr. Emmett Brown, played by actor Christopher Lloyd).

Henry has a special love for children and young people. It is not unusual for Grandpa Henry to initiate a rousing game of roller blade hockey with his grandsons; nor is it unusual for neighbourhood kids to converge on the impromptu arena to join the fracas. A typical score is 6:6. Understanding his own intensely competitive nature, Grandpa Henry explains, “Everyone goes home happier that way.”

Other young people find Henry approachable, too. A group of Canadian youth sat in rapt attention in the Schmidt’s living room recently, listening to Henry describe the call of God on his own life as a younger man, and later marveled that a man of Henry’s stature would share so freely of his time and so vulnerably from his heart.

Henry is quick to recognize Elvera as the one person who has shaped his life more than any other. Her constant love, support, encouragement and prayer have sustained him through the highs and lows of public office. Her willingness to evaluate and challenge have sharpened Henry’s perception of himself and issues. Her gift of hospitality has made their home a welcoming place for guests, as well as a place of refuge for Henry after his frequent absences.

Henry has taken special delight in Elvera’s career and accomplishments. The two studied together at Fresno Pacific College, where Elvera earned a Bachelors and Teaching degree. The timing of Elvera’s resignation from her kindergarten classroom in Lane Elementary School coincides with Henry’s resignation from MBBS.

The Schmidts have two daughters: Debra and Martin Brady, parents of three sons; and Laura married to Mark Roberts and expecting their first child.

We give thanks to God for Henry and Elvera, for faithful servants who have shared freely and transparently of their hospitality, faith, lives and love. They have touched young and old, and have been marvelously used of God to inspire greater faithfulness in the church to her mission in our time. For this we bless God.

—Board of Directors, MB Biblical Seminary