News & Notes for Praise & Prayer …
New in NCEM
Chalsie Klassen grew up on a farm at Medstead, Saskatchewan. She attended University of Calgary and has worked in health care, most recently as program coordinator at Rosthern Mennonite Nursing Home. Chalsie is an accepted missionary candidate and has already begun serving in our NCEM main office Personnel Department. PRAY for Chalsie as she builds her prayer/financial support team, and begins her office ministry.
We recently welcomed Rebekka (Beccy) Gerhard as an accepted candidate. Beccy and her five year-old daughter, Melissa (Missy), are from Germany. After building a prayer/financial support team, they will move to Canada where Beccy will serve in our main office, along with outreach to single moms. PRAY for Beccy as she prepares for ministry reaching Canada’s First Peoples.
We welcome Adeoye (Addie) & Kennie Adegorite from Orillia, Ontario, as our newest associate missionaries. The past two summers they served at Big River Bible Camp and in the Maskwacis, Alberta area. PRAY for the Adegorites as, along with their employment, they plan outreach to the First Nations communities near their home in Ontario.
Last fall we introduced Jordan Blodgett as an associate. He has since become a candidate for career service, along with his wife, Linsey. PRAY for the Blodgetts as they raise their prayer/financial support. It will be great to have them serving full-time producing “Generation Hope” media – an NCEM Tribal Trails ministry to First Nations youth/young adults.New Board Member
Phil DuFrene is the newest member on NCEM’s Governing Board.
Phil and his wife, Debbie (d. 2018), served with us as missionaries from 1984-1991. Then as associate members from 1991-2008, they served with Campus Crusade for Christ, producing translations of the JESUS Movie, including several Canadian Indigenous languages.
Since 2006, Phil has been serving with Port of Hope Ministries (Canada & USA) as Chaplain and Director. He resides in Sumas, Washington.
Pray for Phil as he serves on our Governing Board, while carrying on outreach to workers on ships in west coast ports.
Missions on Campus
ALONG WITH ongoing opportunities to share about NCEM at Bible college chapels and conferences, this past winter we were also privileged to spend extended time with students on two college campuses teaching modular missions courses.
In late February, at Millar College of the Bible’s Pambrun (SK) campus, former missionary member Peter Constant taught the course “First Nations Ministry.” His perspective as an Indigenous Christian served well as he shared insights to reaching First Nations with the Gospel.
The same week NCEMer Denise Hodgman was on Millar’s Winnipeg campus teaching “Cross-cultural Ministry.” “Every one of the students was eager to learn, and actively participated in the learning activities and discussions,” says Denise. “I felt like I got to know the students, and they got to know me, and my heart for missions.” Tim Nielsen, pastor of City Church, arranged for each student to visit the home of another culture.
One of the Winnipeg students already had an NCEM connection. Dimitri Severight has previously served with NCEM as an intern. He has completed two years at Millar, and this summer is serving at our Mission’s main office in “IT” (computer related work), along with time at Pine Ridge Bible Camp.
Pray for young adults in colleges and churches to consider full-time cross-cultural ministry.
Many Christians interact daily with people of another culture. Offering insights to better understanding and communication of the Gospel with those of another culture, Denise Hodgman’s class lessons are available in print, email (PDF), and video. The teaching is relevant for reaching people of all cultures for Christ.
To request one or more of these, email: rollie.hodgman@ncem.ca
At our USA OFFICE
We appreciate the service of Glenn & Carol Bredin, our NCEM USA Office managers. Since 2021 the Bredins have been using their retirement – Carol from nursing, Glenn from retail management – to facilitate USA donations, along with related office work.
The Bredins live in Sheridan, Wyoming (NCEM’s USA postal address remains in Idaho). Pray for Glenn & Carol as they correspond with donors and prayer supporters, and help make NCEM’s outreach to Canada’s First Peoples possible.
Staff Conferences
This spring and summer, we’re getting together! … as our missionaries gather in three regional locations.
Our “Central” area workers gathered in Nipawin (SK) in May; our “Western” members will meet at Gull Lake (AB) in August; and our “Eastern” workers’ gathering dates are not yet set (at press-time).
We appreciate prayer for these times of refreshing … spiritually, emotionally, physically. Thank you!
Bible Camp … always on their hearts!
Most of our missionaries assist with Bible camp ministry each summer in various ways. But for these listed here, Bible camp is more! It remains a focus throughout their year. Pray for God’s enabling for each of these, especially this summer, as they provide leadership:
Logan & Alicia Bueckert direct Steeprock Bay Bible Camp. With their own three young children, summer is a very busy time balancing family care with long full days with campers and staff.
Tom & Donna Cnossen initiated Higher Challenge Wilderness Adventures in 1994. Far from the comforts of home, Tom enjoys quality time with First Nations teens out in the wilderness.
Grant & Liz Fawcett are directors at Arrowhead Native Bible Center in New Brunswick. ANBC serves as a year-round base with multiple outreaches to First Nations in Canada’s Maritime region.
Bruce & Rosella McCaskell recently took on directorship of Pine Ridge Bible Camp. While Rosella stays busy with office and registration, Bruce oversees staff, programs, and facility maintenance.
Caylea Selke is Big River Bible Camp’s newly appointed director. Along with other administrative duties, she enjoys discipling First Nations teens at BRBC as “LITs” (Leaders in Training).
Bob & Juliana Siebert and their three children made a transition from Germany to Big River Bible Camp. They are in their second year of serving at BRBC, now with added leadership responsibilities.
Martin & Naomi Tetreault are associate NCEM members who plan and lead Camp Kwayakotage, a mobile Bible camp that sets up in French-speaking First Nation communities in Quebec.
Araunah Wahlstrom joined NCEM in 2023. He has worked in our Mission Printshop, and recently moved to Pine Ridge Bible Camp, where he serves in facilities maintenance and programs, filling in where needed.
INTERNS@CAMP!
Katie DeNuke is from Granville Beach, New Brunswick, and has been serving at Arrowhead Native Bible Center since the spring of 2024.
Michael Elias, from Miami, Manitoba, recently completed his internship, and is now serving as a short-term missionary at Pine Ridge Bible Camp.
Moriah Kieler is from Three Hills, Alberta. Her internship with us at Pine Ridge Bible Camp will extend until the end of August.
Eliza Petty is from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and is serving at Big River Bible Camp until the end of this summer.
Salome Tatischwili, from Germany, plans to serve with us at Big River Bible Camp until the end of September.
Naomi Unrau, from Austin, Manitoba, joined us as an intern in early 2025 to serve at Pine Ridge Bible Camp.
With the Lord
Our condolences to the families of these former NCEM workers. Each of them leaves a legacy of service to our Saviour.
George Braun passed away September 19 in Steinbach, Manitoba, at age 66. George & Anna served at Key-Way-Tin Bible Institute from 2002-2010. George is survived by Anna and their two children.
Lorraine Arnold passed away November 30 in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, at age 90. As associate members, she and her husband, Mervyn (d. 2019), generously gave of their time and resources for the ministry at Maskwacis, Alberta.
Joan Wright passed away February 13 in Batawa, Ontario, at age 83. Joan served full-time in Oxford House, Manitoba, 1986-1992, followed by associate service at Key-Way-Tin Bible Institute.
Arnold Stobbe passed away in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, at age 96 on February 26. He faithfully served on our Governing Board from 1988-2000. Arnold is survived by his wife, Helena, 10 children (two who are NCEM members), and their families.
John Langendoen passed away April 1 in Listowel, Ontario, at age 96. As associate missionaries in their retirement years, John & Gretha served full-time in several locations, filling in and assisting our missionaries. John is survived by Gretha, seven children, and their families.
NCEM Family News
WEDDING BELLS!
Sue Hoffman joined Dave Hufstetler in marriage on February 3rd. Sue previously served in Oxford House, Manitoba, and in Prince Albert. As an associate NCEM member, she has been serving as her home church’s missions secretary in Ohio, USA.
NCEM Governing Board member Arlyn Van Enns married Cara Strong on February 7th. Arlyn has served at Ft. Chipewyan, Alberta, and now serves with Global Action, based in Colorado while traveling internationally training pastors.
NEWEST “MKs”
On January 24th, Jeremy & Justine Sherwood welcomed “Lydia Rose.” The Sherwoods serve at Lac La Biche, Alberta.
On January 29th, Jordan & Linsey Blodgett welcomed “Asher Lawrence Clint.” The Blodgetts live near Regina, producing Generation Hope media.
April 22nd, Noah & Naomi Wahlstrom welcomed “Abigayle Grace.” The Wahlstroms serve at NCEM’s Airbase in Nipawin, SK.