Exemplary MB leader Marvin Hein dies at 82

Marvin Hein, a leading figure in the life of the Mennonite Brethren denomination, died of acute leukemia in Fresno, Cal., January 5, 2008. He was 82.

Hein was considered one of the greatest preachers of his generation. He served as pastor for Hillsboro (Kan.) MB Church for 24 years, and North Fresno MB Church for 11.

Hein shaped the collective life of U.S. MBs as chair of the Southern District Conference, U.S. Conference, and the U.S.–Canadian General Conference executive boards. For 11 years, he travelled the U.S. and Canada preaching, representing the conference, and finally heading the committee that arranged for divestiture of the General Conference in 2002.

He also served on various theological boards and governing boards for Tabor College, Fresno Pacific University, and MB Biblical Seminary. In 1989, MBBS awarded him its first honorary doctorate.

“For many people, Marvin represented the life and thought, a perspective of how Mennonite Brethren thought of ourselves as a people,” says Peggy Goertzen, U.S. Conference archivist and director of the Center for MB Studies at Tabor College. “He was a bit of a risk-taker because he felt the freedom to ask questions. He was not afraid of discussion and dialogue, and people respected that because of his longevity and stability.”

One of the highlights of Hein’s life was his 17-year involvement with Mennonite World Conference from 1967 to 1984. He served as vice-president, representing North America, for two three-year terms. In his MWC role, he travelled to more than 50 countries and to five global assemblies.

Beyond the MB Church, Hein served on the National Association of Evangelicals board, represented Mennonite Brethren on the Council of Inter-Mennonite Moderators and Secretaries, and the board of Herald Publishing Company. He was the author of three books. He wrote a monthly column in The Christian Leader for 15 years that answered readers’ questions.

“The spirit [in his columns] was always not ‘I’m right, you’re wrong,’ but ‘This is what I think and why I think this way,’ ” says Don Ratzlaff, former editor of The Christian Leader.

Throughout his life, whether in worship, preaching, gardening or golfing, Hein always aspired to excellence and wanted God’s business to be done with finesse.

A memorial service was held at North Fresno MB Church on January 20, 2008. He is mourned by his wife Mary Helen, three daughters, two grandchildren, and one sister.

—with files from Mennonite Weekly Review and Connie Faber for The Christian Leader