 I am always moved by the carol “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Originating in Latin from the 12th century, and based on plainchant music from the 8th century, this song is among the oldest we still sing today. If the tune evokes images of the music coming from a monastery in the medieval period, that’s because our carol was derived from exactly that type of song, with the English words we now use being added later – two verses in 1861 and two in 1916. I am drawn to the haunting melody and emotion of the song, but a couple of things about the words really stand out to me: When you sing this carol, you are reflecting on names or characteristics of Christ. He is Emmanuel - God with us (Matthew 1:23). He is Wisdom from on high (1 Corinthians 1:24). He is the Desire of nations (Haggai 2:7), and He is the Dayspring (Luke 1:78). I think one intended effect of this song is that we stop and ponder Christ from the perspective of the Jewish people who had been waiting so long for the arrival of their Messiah. It is hard to properly imagine the mindset of the typical Jew at that time, but it helps to understand their history. The zenith of Israel’s national pride and success occurred during King Solomon’s reign with the completion of the first temple. But soon after, Solomon died and the nation was divided into two kingdoms, Israel and Judah. The Assyrians conquered and scattered Israel. The Babylonians conquered and scattered Judah. Jerusalem was razed and the first temple was destroyed. When the Persians conquered Babylon, a remnant of Jews returned to Jerusalem to rebuild, and the second temple was finished relatively quickly. About 330 years later, the temple was desecrated by the king of Syria, leading to a revolt and subsequent restoration of Jewish practices. A level of autonomy had been regained, but by 63BC, the land of Israel had been conquered and annexed by the Roman empire. Israel had indeed experienced “lonely exile” at the hands of various foreign powers. They had undoubtedly experienced “envy, strife, and quarrels.” They desperately needed a savior, and the melody and words of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” capture this sense of longing and desperation. But what does this carol mean to us today? As I said, it is difficult to imagine exactly what the ancient Jews were thinking or feeling, but I know how I feel. It feels like our society reached a zenith some time ago. Our nations that once promoted Christian values seem to be chasing everything that is perverse and evil. Our nations that were once united in purpose now feel like they have been divided into multiple (political or social) kingdoms. False religions are growing in popularity at an alarming rate. Sinful practices evoke celebration rather than concern. In many ways, Christians in North America are becoming exiles in a foreign land. Our values, once used to establish our society, are now mocked and vilified. Our voices, once seen as important to public discourse, are now often disregarded or even silenced. Truth is often seen as “hate speech.” Come, o come, Jesus, and ransom your church, that mourns in lonely exile here until You again appear. The good news is that this carol also has a chorus. It calls on us to rejoice, because Jesus, the Light of the World, has come – God with us. I don’t reflect on the sadness of this song or the history of the nation of Israel so that we can mourn together, but that we can grasp the fullness of His deliverance together. Jesus Christ came to save mankind. While we recognize our lonely status amid the “envy, strife and quarrels” of this world, we also know that Jesus Christ came as a baby to free us from all of that and even from death! We know that Jesus came just as God’s Word said He would, so we know that He will return, just as He said He would. We look forward to that day with great anticipation, and we hold fast to His Word and to His promises as we wait. I am so glad that we have a Fellowship of like-minded believers with whom we can wait for the blessed return of Jesus. As we reflect on the glorious gift of salvation and the hope it brings, let us encourage one another and pray for one another as we wait together. Merry Christmas!
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Please save the dates for Connect26!12/10/2025  Our annual gathering of churches will happen July 9-11, 2026, at Salem Church in Waldheim, SK. We want to connect you with people, resources, and information that will help you do ministry better. This event is not just for pastors and leaders, but for anyone who is interested in learning more about God’s Word, about our Fellowship, or about healthy church ministry.
Save the dates and check back for more information.
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 One recent Sunday, I was speaking at a church that was having a pancake feed before church. I got a plate of pancakes and sausage and sat at a table with four men and the pastor. The pastor was already engaged in conversation with one of the men, so I introduced myself to the three men sitting opposite me. I learned that one of the men was a regular attender at this church, but this was the first Sunday that the other two (brothers) had been to the church. They had come for the pancake breakfast that morning. The pastor had been inspired to reach the community in creative ways by Mark Clifton, the speaker at CONNECT25, the FEBC’s annual meetings and conference. That morning started with infectious joy throughout the church as everyone was greeting one another and serving together. I even managed to preach with a mouthful of great Canadian maple syrup.
Working for the FEBC, I have been able to see those highlights in ministry at many churches, as well as how pastors and churches encourage one another. As Ministries Coordinator, I am blessed to see it and hopefully be a part of it as well. God is at work. So are our churches. The work of ministry has been a focus of my efforts this past year. Toward that end, the FEBC enabled me to get Working Genius certified. Working Genius is an assessment developed by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group. It is a way of understanding work (ministry, in our context): how it gets done and how to engage people. The assessment is simple, practical, and fast. This year, I met with leaders from 6 churches and look forward to meeting with more in the future. Among the many benefits of this simple tool is the freedom that comes with knowing yourself and your team, and the grace that is afforded to oneself and others as you appreciate your uniqueness. It also helps ensure that all of the steps are taken that will ensure understanding, good decision-making, and successful completion. Often, as we meet, someone says “this helps explain so much!” It is inexpensive, encouraging, and promotes confidence in leadership teams. Working Genius sessions have led me to all parts of the FEBC footprint, and I’ve been able to fill the pulpit in a number of churches. I am always encouraged by the sincerity of people in our fellowship. The last few months have allowed me to visit churches and pastors in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon and British Columbia. We’ve seen pastors installed in a few locations and look forward to more shortly as some jobs have been filled. There have also been opportunities for me to have an evening of fun with some congregations at an event that we call FEBC Fusion. We bring some quick, simple games that people play around a table that bring laughter and some information about the FEBC to a local congregation. I guarantee that people of all ages will enjoy the event. One of the challenging tasks is to walk alongside churches as they go through difficult times, and there have been some this year. God loves the church. We love the church. People in the church love the church. While the Spirit brings unity, we still live in a broken world and churches face conflict within and sometimes without. In those moments, we are often able to be an encouragement and support for those local churches. Please pray for our churches and pastors as they faithfully follow the Spirit’s leading in their communities. None of this work would be possible without your faithful partnership. Your support enables me to serve churches in practical, relational, and spiritual ways. Please continue to pray for wisdom, endurance, and discernment as I walk with congregations in both seasons of growth and seasons of struggle. Thank you again for standing with me in this ministry. God is using your support to strengthen churches and encourage leaders across our region. In His service, Gary Krehbiel Tags:
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Resources12/10/2025  Our Vision Statement is: “Strengthening our churches with timely resources that strengthen their leaders.”
We were recently contacted by a church leader who said “We need a job description for our new pastor. We never had one for our last pastor.” While a church is not a business, there are certain things we should have in place to ensure we are properly stewarding the resources God has given us, and to manage the operations of our organizations well. Having a good job description for each employee is an important aspect of proper church management. Simply stated: The members and leaders of a church have expectations of what a staff member should be doing. If those expectations are never clearly communicated, problems are likely to occur. Clear communication is critical to any healthy relationship. If your church needs a new job description for your pastor or another employee, or help with hiring documents, a letter of engagement, etc., we would be happy to assist you. We can provide samples, advice, or even help you write a customized document for your church. If you are interested in learning more or need help, contact Kevin. [email protected] Check out a more complete list of resources here: FEBC Church Resources but remember that we are willing to talk about any situation at all. Don’t hesitate to contact Gary, Kevin, or the FEBC Office. Tags:
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 I was standing in a service with my grandpa on one side and my parents on the other when tears started clouding my vision. We were singing "It is Well with My Soul," and I heard my grandpa, who had just weeks ago lost his wife of 68 years, echo in the refrain, “It is well. . . it is well with my soul.” In that moment, all I could do was take it in and pray, “Thank You, Jesus.” Stepping into the role of editor for the Fellowship Focus feels like returning to family. I’d love for you to know me a little more than just words on a page or screen, so here’s a glimpse into where I’ve come from and who I am today. I grew up attending Crosspoint Bible Church in Omaha, Nebraska. My grandpa once served as FEBC President, and my dad is the Ministries Coordinator, which has given me an awareness of and appreciation for the FEBC. During my teen years at Crosspoint, my faith grew and deepened in ways that have sustained me through feeling outcast, dealing with depression, walking through anxiety, and, recently, learning how to grieve. After high school, I moved to Olathe, Kansas, for college, where I met my husband, Josh. We got married in June of 2023, and he started pastoring at a Nazarene church in Fremont, Nebraska. We moved to Indiana the next summer for Josh to serve as the youth pastor at a large church, expecting to settle in for the long haul. Instead, that year became unexpectedly challenging and stretching. It was a season that led us to cling to God’s guidance more than ever and ultimately brought us back to family. In the middle of that chaos, I was blessed to be able to attend CONNECT25. My husband had just lost his job, we were hoping to move soon, and I was grieving so much at once: the loss of my grandmother, the loss of the life we’d planned in Indiana, feeling like we were having to start all over again, and the dreams Josh and I would need to reimagine. During a confusing, draining time, when I could have stayed home in Indiana and bought another planner to "figure things out,” instead, that service- the moment with my family singing "It Is Well with My Soul"- reminded me I was not alone. Surrounded by believers who genuinely wanted to see God move in the lives of others, CONNECT became one of the most hopeful, peaceful, and life-giving experiences of my year. I was challenged by the messages, encouraged by the worship, and poured into through the breakout sessions. I left CONNECT feeling renewed and more grateful for the FEBC than ever before. If there is one place you can be next summer, make it CONNECT26. Jesus used that season and this Fellowship to bring us back to Nebraska and back into community. The past year had been lonely and confusing, but Jesus stayed close, faithfully reminding me of the beauty of the local church and the importance of hearing what He is doing among His people. The Fellowship Focus is one way we stay connected as a family of churches. As your new editor, I want this publication to reflect the real heartbeat of the Fellowship. If you have a story to share or an interest in contributing in some other way, please contact me at [email protected] or connect with your pastor or church correspondent. Stories remind us of God’s activity in everyday church life. They encourage congregations that may feel small, isolated, or weary. They create unity across distance, help us celebrate answered prayer, and show us how God is moving in ways we might never see unless someone shares it. This publication isn’t just information. It’s a way to see God’s hand across the Fellowship. As someone shaped by this Fellowship from childhood, I’m grateful for the foundation it gave me. And now, I’m honored to step into this role, looking back with gratitude and forward with hope. In Christ, Sarah Stutler
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A Gray Christmas12/10/2025  “I’m dreaming of a White Christmas!” But what happens when the clouds cover the Light? When the stars vanish and don’t shine so bright? When I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired, and I want the gray to turn to white so that all will be merry and bright? Should I run to stores and endless sales to find some peace in a world that fails? Or cling to traditions, parties, and fun, hoping joy will sneak in, even for one? Maybe it’s family, and friends I love, that bring the happiness that keeps flying away like a dove. But I keep chasing, stressing, missing, and wonder where this joy is hiding. I wait. I ponder. I wonder. What am I missing? It’s Christ — the reason, the celebration, the one who brings true salvation. From darkness, from fear, from nights so long, when the stars are gone, He’s still strong. He brought light — hope, joy, peace, and love — when He left Heaven and came from above, born in a manger in Bethlehem town, to lift the gray clouds and turn it around. “All will be merry and bright” when Christ is fixed in my sight. Even on gray days, Even in the fight, His light makes all the wrongs ultimately right.
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 Luke, the New Testament historian and research writer, includes the statement at the beginning of his second chapter, “that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.” Proper documentation was a part of life then, and every law-abiding citizen went to register with the government office in their own city.
One of the prominent items in our U.S. national news is the issue of undocumented immigrants. Anyone from another country who has not been properly processed is considered suspect and identified as an undocumented alien. Having been born in Canada and moving to the U.S. with my family so my father could attend a Bible College gives me a viewpoint of what proper documentation looks like, with the requirement of filling out an alien registration form each year and submitting that document to the government offices. That requirement eventually concluded with the naturalization process for becoming a U.S. citizen. Serving as a missionary in a foreign country, we had to regularly update our status as expatriates living in Ecuador. Actually, the document that was provided by that government was called a Censo, so even the name brings back memories of that procedure we had to abide by. I always had a sense of relief when that process was completed, and we were properly registered with the Ecuadorian government. Today during this Advent season of the Christmas story, I find it interesting that this event is included in our biblical account of that first Christmas. So, what does this detail tell us about Joseph and his concerns for Mary?
Lord, help us reflect on what’s important from this event in the original Christmas story, in our lives today, this Advent season. Tags:
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Fellowship Updates12/9/2025 
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 Below are the deaths, births, and weddings that occurred across our congregations since our last published issue. During these major events, and always, we will proclaim His praise. Vita Bible Church (Vita, Manitoba)
Dalmeny Bible Church (Dalmeny, Saskatchewan)
Christian Fellowship Chapel (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
Salem Church (Waldheim, Saskatchewan)
Martensville Mission Church (Martensville, Saskatchewan)
Saron Mennonite Church (Fairview, Oklahoma)
To submit a birth, wedding, or memorial for this section, contact your pastor, your church correspondent, or email the editor at [email protected]
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Church News (Nov/Dec 2025)12/8/2025 
Midway Bible Camp has faced various challenges in the last few years. The lease on the previous campsite had run out, leaving the camp in need of a new home. God has provided a new site that is even better situated than the old site. Forest fires and building delays changed plans this past summer, but God still gave opportunities to reach the youth with the gospel in unexpected ways. Work is ongoing to clear the site and build the necessary facilities. Danielle Johnston, Correspondent  Christian Fellowship Chapel Winnipeg Winnipeg, MB Timothy Harris, Pastor cfc-wpg.org We continue to have a lot to be thankful for! Our fall season began with a pancake breakfast in our churchyard for congregants and neighbors alike. English and Spanish Sunday School resumed, as did our AWANA club. The Ladies Abide Group met for four sessions, where we studied waiting on God. We have had baby dedications, and baby showers, a wedding shower and a wedding, and the blessing of helping two YFC missionaries in our midst with a fundraiser.
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12/11/2025
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