According to Rose Friesen, age seventy-two, you are never too old for the work of the Lord. Together with her huband Wilbert, age 77, this couple from Rosenort, Manitoba, are currently the caretakers and transporters of the big blue tent, belonging to Gospel Mission, Canada.
They set up in downtown Blairmore last week, for four nights of preaching by Stuart Jantzen, of Kansas. The sponsoring church was Rockyview Mennonite, from Pincher Creek.
It takes twelve men three hours to set up the tent and one and a half hours to take it down. The next stop on their itinerary is Creston, B.C.
The Friesens have been transporting the tent to various locations for eight years. Rose added, “I don’t know how much longer we’ll be doing this.”
There is no musical accompaniment to the singing, which begins each service. Singing is followed by reading scripture and a short explanation, then the speaker shares for about half an hour. Mr. Jantzen shared how he lost his only son in a car accident. He also spoke about the assurance he has of seeing him again in heaven. This was not shared without tears. His sermons also contained storoes of a beloved daughter, his mother and his dad. Interwoven throughout were gospel truths that were meant to bring hope into life’s circumstances.
Members of Rockyview Church attended nightly, along with individuals from the larger community. No offering was taken and there were no efforts to have anyone join up. Basically, it was a free event where the larger community was allowed a glimpse of spiritual truths that may have been new to them.