Celebration of Missions
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| Awards that were presented at Transforming the World fund-raising banquet, June 24. Photo credit: Shane Knudsen. |
First EMM banquet successfully launched
LANCASTER, Pa. – EMM’s annual Celebration of Mission weekend, June 24-26, opened with a first-ever Transforming the world fund-raising banquet for more than 200 people at Willow Valley's Palm Court. Highlights of the evening included a keynote message from MMA President and CEO Howard Brenneman, a lively auction, and the presentation of four special mission awards.
Mervin Charles, director of Global Ministries, presented the awards. The Rhoda E. Wenger Life Service Award went to Chester and Sara Jane Wenger, who served as pioneer missionaries and developers of institutions in Ethiopia. Chester also served at EMM headquarters in Salunga. Rhoda E. Wenger, EMM’s longest serving international worker, served a total of 50 years in Tanzania, Somalia, Kenya, and the Caribbean.
Larry and Helen Lehman, who pioneered work among the K’ekchi’ of Guatemala and forged a partnership with the K'ekchi' and Franklin Mennonite Conference, received the Elam W. Stauffer Pioneer Mission Award. Elam and his wife Elizabeth were the first EMM-sent overseas missionaries, going to Tanzania in 1934.
David and Grace Shenk received the Orie O. Miller Mission Mobilizer Award. Many workers testify that a relationship with the Shenks eventually led them to missions. They served in Somalia, Kenya, and Lithuania. David also served at EMM headquarters. Orie Miller was an extraordinary mission administrator, nudging many to consider a call to missions as he helped found or develop EMM, MCC, and several other Mennonite institutions.
Don and Anna Ruth Jacobs, who served in Tanzania and (Don) on staff at EMM headquarters, received (in absentia) an award that also has Don's name – the Donald R. Jacobs Church Development Award. The Jacobs helped to guide the young Kanisa la Mennonite Tanzania (Tanzania Mennonite Church) toward autonomy.
The mission award winners received original sculptures unique to their award, each designed and crafted by Discipleship Ministries staff member Naomi Paine.
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| At EMM’s annual Global Fair, Carol Tobin, who had served with EMM in Thailand and is heading back to the region this year, regales children with stories of life in Southeast Asia. Photo credit: Josiah Garber. |
Global Fair a hot item
The unusually hot and humid weather on June 25 didn’t stop hundreds of visitors from experiencing Global Fair and the international cacophony of sights, sounds, and tastes that make the Fair an annual treat in Lancaster County.
As Pauline Boll of Manheim, Pa., helped her grandchildren from Baltimore, Md., find a shady spot of the banks of the Millstream to watch the globe race she said, “This is wonderful. What a wealth of food and fun! I wish every family in our church was here!” Another visitor who said he was “a hamburger man,” leery of trying strange foreign foods, enjoyed chatting with Darrell and Susan Caldwell, EMM workers in Cambodia. He’d never met anyone from Cambodia before.
'Sending of the 70,' and introduction of the new Discipleship Ministries Director
The Celebration of Mission weekend concluded Sunday evening, June 26, with a celebrative commissioning for 70 short- and long-term workers and an introduction of Ryan Showalter, the new director of Discipleship Ministries.
Many in my generation feel like the writer of Boulevard of Broken Dreams, who said, ‘sometimes I wish someone out there would find me,’” Showalter said. “Many feel lost and alone. But Jesus invites us to remain in him. He is our hope, our place of belonging. And Jesus said if he is lifted up, he will draw all peoples to himself. I want to call my generation to lift up Jesus among all nations and generations.” Showalter, who holds a degree in youth ministry from Eastern College (St. David’s, Pa.), has also studied at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (South Hamilton, Mass.). He is a member of Mount Joy (Pa.) Mennonite Church.
Carlton Stambaugh, chairman of the EMM Board, gave the keynote address about four “paramedics” who brought a paralytic to Jesus. “This took action and teamwork,” Stambaugh said. “They were convinced that Jesus could help their friend. They had a faith that would not be denied. What about us?” It was a ringing challenge heard with special relevance by the 70 EMM workers who gathered for commissioning in prayer clusters with friends, families, and missionary support teams as the service closed.
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