A Pilgrimage of Faith: The Mennonite Brethren Church in Russia and North America, 1860-1990It is now [1990] one hundred and thirty years since the birth of the Mennonite Brethren Church and therefore time for someone in that church to take a backward glance to see how things have developed. Who better to do this John B. Toews. His life spans well over half of those years and he has experienced much of what he writes. "JB" as he is affectionately known by both students and colleagues is a patriarchal figure in the Mennonite Brethren Church. Born in Ukraine, the Russian Revolution and its aftermath were the crucible that shaped his youth and young adult years. After studying in Western Europe, Toews immigrated to Canada in the late 1920s. Much of his life has been in Mennonite Brethren educational institutions in Canada and the United States. During ten years as Executive Secretary of the Mennonite Brethren Board of Missions he traveled widely and came to know Mennonite Brethren people around the world. In between educational and mission administrative responsibilities he pastored in Kansas and California. After retiring from the presidency of the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary he became the founding Director of the Historical Commission of the Mennonite Brethren Church.
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... house of Menno had become practically desolate and empty and was about to collapse . " 18 A major factor in the spiritual decline of the church in Russia was lack of adequate leadership . For the most part , the educated leaders in the ...
... house . . . and when thou risest up . " Proverbs 22 : 6 was also frequently quoted as a basis for this responsibility : " Train up a child in the way he should go : and when he is old , he will not depart from it . " At wed- dings the ...
... houses ( Versammlungshaus ) . The min- isters - teachers of the Word - and brothers and sisters from the neighboring congregations would assemble for a study con- ference lasting from three days to a week . A leading minister led the ...
... house visitation under- girded their teaching and preaching . Each family received a visit once or twice a year ( more frequently in the case of known spiritual needs ) . Two ministers or one minister with a deacon would make these ...
... house visitation and preaching in public gatherings . They were instrumental in kindling revival fires in the life of the community of believers and bringing unbelievers to salva- tion . " This ministry provided a spiritual ...