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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... Peter M. Friesen : I pondered the condition of the Mennonite brethren [ he means all Mennonites here ] ; and behold , it is even worse than the departed brethren describe it [ in the secession document of the Brethren ] . There is no ...
... largely the responsibility of the church elders , most of whom were uneducated and ill equipped for the task . Peter M. Friesen likened their incom- petent leadership to " a blind leader of the blind 6 A PILGRIMAGE OF FAITH.
... Peter Peters.25 The formation of the Kleine Gemeinde did not calm the turbulence as clashes continued between the old guard and more progressive Mennonites who were open to deeper piety , education and missionary endeavors . At one ...
... Peter M. Friesen's statement- " Next to God's Word and his spirit , Menno and Wüst have actually made the Men- nonite Brethren Church what it is and will be in the church of Christ " overstated Wüst's historic significance . To be sure ...
... Peter M. Friesen described this meeting , which began at noon on Saturday and remained in session all night and throughout Sunday , as a day where the " church united for a day of prayer , repentance and fasting . " Having survived the ...