Graduates called to belong to Christ

Elkhart, Ind.

The 39 graduates of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) were asked to hear God's call as an ongoing call, bigger than what they might do for a paycheque.

April Yamasaki, pastor of Emmanuel Mennonite Church, Abbotsford, B.C., addressed the graduates at the May 19 commencement. Sharing the experience of her own unexpected call to congregational ministry, Yamasaki told graduates, "God's call is more than a noun, an event to look back on. God's call is a verb, a movement, a direction. What sustains me is not that God called me 14 years ago, but that God is continuing to call me even today."

Then, sharing examples of people she has encountered in her ministry, Yamasaki emphasized that "whatever your paid employment might be, your calling is wider than that. It is to belong to Jesus Christ."

The 2007 graduates of AMBS came from four countries, including eight from Canada. Two grads are from Kenya and one from Indonesia, as well as 28 from the U.S. AMBS conferred 19 master of divinity degrees, three master of arts degrees in peace studies, eight master of arts degrees in theological studies, seven master of arts in Christian formation degrees, and two certificates in theological studies.

The Canadian grads are:

* Michael van Eerden, a member of Hillside Christian Reformed Church, Abbotsford, B.C.: Master of arts in theological studies degree with a concentration in church history. He will move to Seattle, Wash., and pursue work there.

* Ryan Siemens, a member of Lethbridge Mennonite Church, Alta.: Master of arts degree. He will begin as pastor of Grace Mennonite Church, Prince Albert, Sask., in August.

* Rachel Siemens, a member of First Mennonite Church, Winnipeg: Master of arts degree. She will pursue a pastoral ministry assignment.

* Alissa Bender, a member of Steinmann Mennonite Church, Baden, Ont.: Master of divinity degree. She will be a pastoral intern at Emmanuel Mennonite Church, Abbotsford, B.C., then pursue a pastoral ministry assignment.

* Juanita Laverty, a member of Pioneer Park Christian Fellowship, Kitchener, Ont.: Master of divinity degree. She will begin as pastor of Hanover Mennonite Church, Ont.

* David Sararus, husband of Juanita Laverty and a member of Pioneer Park Christian Fellowship, Kitchener, Ont.: Master of arts in Christian formation degree. He will work parttime and support his family at home.

* Kendall Jongejan Harder, a member of Toronto United Mennonite Church: Master of arts degree. He will pursue a pastoral ministry assignment together with Charleen, his wife.

* Charleen Jongejan Harder, a member of Toronto United Mennonite Church: Master of arts degree.

-AMBS release by Mary E. Klassen