The President
The White House
Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. President:

At this time of unprecedented anguish and loss for the American people, we, as followers of Jesus Christ, commit ourselves to pray for you and other national leaders who must decide how to respond to these recent horrific acts of violence. We mourn the deaths and the shattered lives. We utterly reject the brutal tactics of those who inflicted these grievous wounds.

FRESNO, CA - On this day of national mourning and prayer, we, your colleagues in ministry pray for you as you minister to your congregation Sunday, especially that you will bring the reassurance of God's comfort. We pray for you as pastor. "The Lord is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid? . . . when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall." (Ps 27:1, 26 NIV).

A CALL TO PRAYER - President Henry Schmidt In the midst of the international terrorist tragedy that has impacted hundreds of families, friends, neighbours in New York and Washington, I am calling the seminary community and the Mennonite Brethren churches in the United States and Canada to prayer. I extend my sympathy, condolence, and support to those who have experienced indescribable loss. We share in your pain and the tragic death of thousands of innocent victims at the hands of the terrorists. The Bible reminds us not "to return evil for

MB Seminary professor and Fresno Leadership Foundation Founder Jim Westgate is appointed as interim pastor for Northwest Church.

MB Biblical Seminary is delighted to announce the appointment of Rick Bartlett as the Ministry Quest program director effective June 2003. Ministry Quest is a program giving High School Youth the opportunity to explore ministry as a vocational option. Ministry Quest is the High School component of the "Hearing The Call" project directed by John Neufeld. In addition to Directing Ministry Quest, Rick will teach courses and lead seminars in youth ministry, leadership development and discipleship.

The MBBS Presidential Search Committee is pleased to report the completion of the information gathering process begun in mid-November 2002. Of the approximately 700 surveys distributed, 45% were returned; half from Canadian respondents, the other half from U.S. respondents.
During a telephone conference meeting on January 13, the committee reviewed the data tables compiled by its consultant, Rebekah Basinger. An extensive discussion of the results and their impact on the presidential profile produced a preliminary profile. (Detailed survey