In 1900 Rev. Henry C. Unruh became the pastor. Te congre-


gation bought the church site in 1901. A school building was also purchased and moved to the site. From that time forward this site has been the home of the Bruderthaler (EMB Church) of Marion. Revival meetings resulted in salvation for some and new


commitments for others. Te church continued the evangelistic meetings that had begun in Russia. Te sanctuary was not large enough, so in 1921 the church purchased a 40 by 60-foot tent. Te congregation grew as the Lord drew people into salvation. Up to 200 cars oſten crowded into the parking lot. A larger church building was built in 1922. When the conference changed its name in 1937 to Evangeli-


cal Mennonite Brethren, the church also changed its name from Bruderthaler Church to Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church, and soon began to be referred to as simply the EMB Church. In 1963 the church constructed a new building, complete with


a sanctuary which would seat up to 250. Te lower level provided Sunday School rooms, a large kitchen and a fellowship hall. Tis building, still in use, was dedicated on April 26, 1964. Trough the years, many changes have taken place in the life-


style of the community. All rural churches have been affected by the decrease in population. Farmsteads were vacated as farms were consolidated and fields were converted to cropland. Young people continued their education and found careers in larger cities. Te EMB Church has been blessed to have a strong fellowship of believers throughout the declining years. Many generations have been greatly blessed by many great


spiritual leaders who have pastored the EMB Church. Marion EMB Church’s purpose statement sums up their goals: “To worship Christ through the study of God’s Word, prayer and fellowship, thereby training and equipping the body to be servants of the Lord.”


Missionaries Rev. Alexander Jantzen American Sunday School Union (now InFaith®) South Dakota


Rev. Peter and Alvina (Becker) Nickel Gospel Missionary Union (now Avant Ministries)


Miss Verna Becker Sudan Interior Mission (now SIM)


Alaska Nigeria


Miss Martha Becker Northern Gospel Mission Gospel Missionary Union Northern Minnesota, Ecuador


Mr. Gilbert and Grace (Becker) Buller HCJB (now Reach Beyond)


Rev. A.A. and Emma (Schroeder) Dyck Ecuador


Mr. David and Shirley Boyes Sudan Interior Mission


Viola Nickel (Mrs. Wilbur Penner) Sudan Interior Mission


Ken and Sheila Ortman Lives Under Construction Boys Ranch


Kent and Sonya Becker Gospel Missionary Union Tentmakers


Pastors 1893–1897 Rev. Benjamin Becker 1900–1920 Rev. Henry C. Unruh 1920–1940 Rev. Dave P. Schultz 1940-1942 Rev. Abraham T. Duerksen 1942–1946 Rev. J.J. Gerbrandt 1946–1949 Rev. John R. Doerksen 1949–1955 Rev. C.A. Classen 1955–1959 Rev. Henry P. Fast 1959–1961


Seminary Student Pastors


1961–1969 Rev. Johnny Reimer 1969–1981 Rev. Eldin Classen 1981–1988 Rev. Gordon Wiebe 1988–1995 Rev. Allan Tschiegg 1996–1997 Rev. Hugh Litchfield 1997–1999 Rev. Jack Billups 1999–2001


2001–2004 Rev. Marvin Wall 2004–2005


2005–2008 Rev. Ken Dalke 2008–present Pastor Randy Maass


11 Nigeria Nigeria Missouri France Ecuador


Short-term pulpit supply Short-term pulpit supply


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