A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

ious films and witnessing. Eventually, a small church was established in Steyr. The outreach from Linz was extended to the city of Wels, some thirty miles west. Here the Lawrence Warkentins established the believers, and before they left for Traunreut, transferred leadership responsibility to Georg Emrich, the first national pastor in the M.B. churches of Europe. The work in Vienna dates back to 1949, when MCC began a ministry of material aid and spiritual nurture here. In 1968 the Vienna group with Helmut Funck as pastor, was accepted into the European M.B. Conference. Meanwhile a second group has been formed in Vienna as a result of the A. J. Neufelds' work. A small fellowship group is also meeting in Salzburg. Hence there is now a Mennonite Brethren witness in five strategic cities of Austria — the only Anabaptist-Mennonite group in the country. Two training schools for Christian workers play a key role in the M.B. church extension program in Europe: Bienenberg (Switzerland) and Brake (North Germany). In both schools Mennonite Brethren teachers have been on the staff through the years. Bienenberg is a Mennonite institution; Brake operates on a nondenominational level. Senior students and graduates of these schools assist in the work of Mennonite Brethren churches. These scattered congregations in Germany and Austria are united in one conference, which they call Bund der Mennoniten Brueder Gemeinden. This Bund (covenant or union) of "earnest Christians," which numbers slightly more than Gideon's army, is committed to Christ and His Great Commission, as are their brethren in many nations around the world. Compared with the large Protestant bodies of America and of the world, the Mennonite Brethren are but a small and insignificant group. However, to the extent that this worldwide M.B. brotherhood remains faithful to its calling and to Christ's teaching, it will continue to hear the words of the Lord in Revelation 3:8 ". . . Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut; I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." MENNONITE BRETHREN AROUND THE WORLD 437 TABLE XII CHURCH GROWTH Statistical Report of Mennonite Brethren Churches YEARS 1969 - 1971 I. MEMBERSHIP REPORT Membership Beginning Year 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 Canada U.S. Tot. Net 15,221 13,319 28,540 Incr. 15,288 13,510 28,789 258 15,462 13,764 29,226 428 15,807 14,081 29,888 662 15,916 14,245 30,161 273 16,218 14,422 30,640 479 16,660 14,645 31,305 665 17,056 14,796 31,852 547 17,396 14,934 32,330 478 17,982 14,767 32,749 419 Additions: Following Baptism 1969 673 390 1,063 1970 651 432 1,083 1971 789 452 1,241 3 Year Totals 2,113 1