1958 Article

The Manitoba Conference of the Mennonite Brethren (MB) Church, was called in its Act of Incorporation "The Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba." The MB Church of Manitoba had its beginning on 30 May 1886, when Heinrich Voth baptized two couples. The place of beginning was Burwalde, near Winkler, where a little chapel was constructed. In 1898 this chapel was moved to Winkler. Then other churches sprang up around Winkler. A large influx of new immigrants arrived in 1922-1925, most of them settling in or near Winnipeg. In the 1950s the Mennonite Brethren Church was spread over the southern portion of the province, with a membership of 3,462 in 22 congregations.

On 5 April 1940 it was decided to incorporate the Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba, which was done. "The objects of the corporation are to promote, engage in and carry on the Christian Religion and Christian Worship and religious education according to die religious belief of the members of the corporation." The doctrines of the church were the fundamental teachings of the Bible about God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, as given in the Glaubensbekenntnis of the Mennonite Brethren Church. In 1955 there were 22 local churches in Manitoba, including five missions. The following institutions were owned by the Manitoba MB Church: one Bible school, one high school, one old folks' home, five mission stations, one Bible college (owned and supported by the whole Mennonite Brethren Church of Canada). The Conference met twice annually until 1942, since then only once annually.

The Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba was a member of the Northern District (Canadian) Conference, which held its meetings once annually in one of the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, North Saskatchewan, South Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. The Northern District Conference was a member of the General Conference of the M.B. Church of North America.

Outstanding personalities of the Manitoba Conference included H. S. Voth, A. H. Unruh, J. G. Wiens, H. H. Janzen, D. D. Derksen, and G. D. Pries. -- HHR

1990 Update

In 1929 the Mennonite Brethren congregations in Manitoba united to form a conference, which was incorporated in 1940 and amended its organization in 1982. Total membership in 2001 was 6,081, distributed among 33 congregations, with a heavy concentration of members in Winnipeg. A vigorous and active conference program concentrates on building the Kingdom of God. The Board of Missions and Church Extension supervises and supports church planting, student ministries, prison chaplaincy and counselling programs. MB Communications oversees television programs and English, German, Low German, and Russian radio releases. The German and Russian releases are broadcast all over the world. The Board of Educational Institutions directs Winkler Bible School and the Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute. The conference is also very active in inter-Mennonite projects, including Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Disaster Service, and Eden Mental Hospital in Winkler. -- WIN

2010 Update

In 2009 the Manitoba Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches had 39 congregations and 6,243 members. In 2010 the following congregations were members of the conference:

Bibliography

Additional Information

Address: 83 Henderson Highway, Winnipeg, MB  R2L 1L2

Telephone: 204-594-3050

Website: Manitoba Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches

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