Mennonite Brethren Mission and Service International presents new funding plan

Three missionary couples were honoured Friday by Dennis Fast, chair, MBMS International Board, at the completion of multiple years of service. Ernst and Ursula Janzen spent 17 years in establishing a network of cell churches in the Montevideo, Uruguay area, as well as training leaders. Bryan and Teresa Born were involved in Bible teaching, discipleship and leadership development in Botswana, and Gordon and Dora Isaak spent 12 years in Mexico working with young families and youth, together with evangelism and leadership training.

MBMSI honoured three retiring missionary couples: (left) Ursula and Ernst Janzen, (second couple from left) Teresa and Bryan Born, and (right photo) Dora and Gordon Isaak. They are on stage with (centre, l–r) Ike Bergen, Rudy Thiessen and Justyn Rees.

Harold Ens, current general director of MBMSI, was recognized for his 30 years of faithful service, first as a missionary in Panama, Colombia and Zaire, then as an area director, and finally as general director.

Harold Ens (centre), receiving a plaque from MBMSI chair Dennis Fast in recognition of 30 years mission service, while vice-chair Ike Bergen looks on.

MBMSI general director-elect Randy Friesen

Ike Bergen, vice-chair of the Board, introduced Randy Friesen as the new general director of MBMS International, beginning Sept. 1. Friesen stated his commitment to the renewal of the missionary movement and called for the best missionary candidates to come forward. Friesen has served as director of Youth Mission International and is currently director of Short-Term Ministries with MBMS International. With this appointment, the head office for MBMSI will move to Abbotsford.

Two breakout sessions afforded time to discuss the proposed recommendations (see MBH, May 21, pp. 24–26). Recommendation 1 is a new mission statement emphasizing the working together of churches and mission. MBMSI is prepared to be a catalyst for churches and agencies of the worldwide Mennonite Brethren fellowship. They propose to train teams for short-term ministry and to foster relationships between MBMSI, the churches and missionaries.

The second recommendation spawned more discussion. This involved a new funding formula. It asks churches to relate directly to one or more long-term MBMS international missionaries and projects by providing support in finances, prayer and communication. The recommendation also encourages churches to send out people on short-term ministries in connection with longer-term ministries.

Concern was expressed for the missionary preparing to go into a specific ministry. Delegates were assured that when missionaries are approved, a budget is established and the constituency relations staff help them connect for financial support to their home church as well as other churches in their region. Before a person leaves for an assignment, a support team is in place that will look after prayer, financial and personal needs of the missionary family, including the children.

A returned missionary indicated he had been frustrated by the static MBMSI budget, stating that mission had been driven by budget rather than by vision. This new funding proposal would overcome that difficulty.

When these two recommendations came to vote on Saturday morning they passed without difficulty.

—sbb