June 14th

David Martin Retires After 15 Years as Executive Minister

“My time as Executive Minister has been an incredible opportunity to serve, make mistakes, learn and grow,” said David Martin. “Thank you for that gift. Ironically after 15 years when I am finally beginning to understand what it means to be Executive Minister, it’s about time to retire!”

David and Doris Martin watched from their home office together as family and friends from Canada, South Korea and the United States, filled the screens with small video windows. From time to time they would smile and point at their screen and then turn and speak to each other. Words of welcome sounded from one screen to the other as almost 100 people gathered for a celebration of 15 years of ministry of David Martin as MCEC Executive Minister.

“Celebrating in this unusual way might seem less than perfect,” said Brent Charette, MCEC Operations and Church Engagement Minister, in reference to meeting on a Zoom platform. “However, David is a little geeky and he loves his gadgets. Perhaps a technological virtual online retirement is exactly what God’s Spirit intended for the retirement of David!”

“Your love of and service to the Mennonite church, both in MCEC and right across the nationwide community of faith, has been a gift to all of us.”

Pastors, MCEC council members, staff and family filled the screens with words of appreciation for David’s ministry. A 30-person choir led in worship singing, “We are people of God’s peace” in a virtual, synced masterpiece – sung in five different languages.

“You served with a pastor’s heart,” said Brian Quan, pastor at Toronto Chinese Mennonite Church and MCEC Assistant Moderator. “You have a heart of patience, understanding and a deep love for the church.” Stories of David named him as a mentor, dad, friend, expert children’s storyteller, husband and grandpa. Insights told of David as a lover of technology, Amazing Race champion and even a superhero movie fan. Throughout the celebration, strong references were made of David’s faith in God and his commitment to the church.

“Thank you for your leadership, mentorship and friendship,” said Ryan Siemens, Executive Minister of MC Saskatchewan. “Your love of and service to the Mennonite church, both in MCEC and right across the nationwide community of faith, has been a gift to all of us.”

Arli Klassen, Moderator of MCEC, shared a story of meeting for breakfast with David on a regular basis, parking their twin, more than 10 years old, red Prius vehicles side by side. As Arli continued, she received a side message from Leah Reesor-Keller, incoming Executive Minister, who was also on the call. ‘I drive a 10-year-old red Prius!’ “I guess we picked the right successor,” Arli quipped.

“David was not given the privilege of coasting to the end of his time with MCEC,” she continued. “He has had a pandemic to cope with and has tried to figure out how we can still be church together, while everything is being done differently.”

David’s first thank you was to his wife, Doris, and their family. Leaning over and kissing Doris forehead he said, “You have made many sacrifices - my time, schedule and travel, I thank you for your love and support.” As Doris gently touched his arm, David continued, “Thank you to all executive council, staff and volunteers I have worked with over the years. Your wisdom and guidance has been invaluable.”

“I believe God is calling MCEC to model how an intercultural community can actually support each other, love each other and care for each other.”

David described a network of prayer support he built around his role of executive minister. “It’s the best decision I ever made,” he said. “Many times I walked away from a challenging meeting and I knew that the Spirit of God had worked in that situation. I knew that the prayer support was there and that it had enfolded those challenging situations. Thank you for that.”

He challenged MCEC to embrace the gifts of prayer, worship, caring and nurture in order to share them with our neighbourhoods, communities and the larger world. “One very unique gift of MCEC is our cultural diversity. I think one of the challenges we face is growing even more fully into being an intercultural faith community,” he said. “I believe God is calling MCEC to model how an intercultural community can actually support each other, love each other and care for each other.”

As the celebration concluded and the computer windows started to close, words of “May the peace of Christ be with you” echoed again and again. David and Doris watched as their friends and family left the meeting. From time to time they would smile and point at their screen and then turn and speak to each other, until the last screens closed.

In his 25 years of pastoral ministry, David served three congregations – Waterloo-Kitchener United Mennonite Church, Hagerman Mennonite Church, and Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church. He concludes his time with MCEC in July of this year.

See below:

• Prayer of Blessing for David

• MCEC Video Retirement Greetings

• Virtual Choir: We Are People of God's Peace

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Prayer of Blessing for David

Gracious God,

Though not ideal circumstances,

We have been able to celebrate David’s ministry today.

We shared and heard great stories, heartfelt expressions,

And genuine love for David and for the Church has served.

In hearing all that has been said,

It reminds us of your words to Jeremiah…

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you

Before you were born, I consecrated you,

I appointed you a prophet to the nations,”

Before you formed David, you knew him,

You set him aside for service to Christ and the Church

And you surrounded him with parents, siblings, extended family,

church folks and others who mentored him in ways,

that he would hear your call on his life.

Today we have celebrated all that you have accomplished through him,

We celebrate the many initiatives, ministry connections,

And mentoring relationships that David has been part of.

But it’s time, soon time to wind down,

to remove the heavy harnesses of this role…and rest

Grant him and Doris a summer of Sabbath rest.

Re-creation and relaxation…

But, we also pray that he remains in tune to the calling you have on his life.

Knowing the love David has for you and for your church,

Help him to find ways,

Small ways, or large ways to continue extending the peace of Jesus Christ

To a world in need.

David and Doris, we imagine ourselves laying hands on you now,

May our gracious and loving God bless you and keep you,

May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

May God’s countenance be lifted up upon you,

And give you peace, now and forever.  AMEN

-written by Doug Klassen, Executive Minister, Mennonite Church Canada

 

MCEC Video Greetings for David

Virtual Choir: We Are People of God's Peace