Going into year 46

In 2005, John N. and Mary Klassen celebrated their 45th year of serving in Germany with MBMS International, and they didn’t stop there!

The Klassens are now into year 46, with no retirement date in sight. John N. recently stopped by the Abbotsford office of MBMS International to spend time telling staff about his and Mary’s ministry over the years. He called it reporting – in reality it was a chance for staff to be taught by a veteran missionary who is characterized by confidence, wisdom, humility, and kindness.

When the Klassens and their two children (a third would be born several years later) were first sent to Germany in 1960 by Culloden MB Church, Vancouver, they were sent as a pastoral couple. In their first 25 years, they served in Neustadt-Weinstrasse, Lage, Lippe, and Bielefeld. They transitioned to a teaching role when they were asked to coordinate a School of Missions, Korntal, Stuttgart, for several years.

Fourteen years ago, the Klassens were asked by the leadership of the BTG (Bund Taufgesinnter Gemeinden, a group of Russian–German free churches called Union of Anabaptist Churches) to help them found a Bible college, called the Bibelseminar Bonn (BSB). Today the school is also supported by another group of Aussiedler churches.

John N. continues to teach at the college and Mary works to equip churches through a Christian book table and teaching women’s seminars. Since the 1980s, they have worked primarily with the rapidly growing Russian–German churches that invite them on a voluntary basis.

Even after 70 years of communism, most of the Russian–German population in Germany claims affiliation with some denomination. However, few are born-again believers and most are suspicious of North American Christianity. The Klassens have won the respect and confidence of their friends and neighbours, as well as the churches they serve and the 80–90 students who study at Bibelseminar Bonn each year.

—Global Bridge