In early May, MB Biblical Seminary professor Pierre Gilbert received recognition from both the Evangelical Press Association (EPA) and The Canadian Church Press (CCP) for his article "Welcome to the complex life: A reflection on the book of Daniel." The article was published in the July 2006 issue of the Christian Leader, a publication of the United States Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches and the September 1, 2006 issue of the Mennonite Brethren Herald, a publication of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.
The Christian Leader received a fourth place award in the Biblical Exposition category from the EPA. Gilbert was commended for his "deft use of Biblical material." The EPA is made up of more than 375 organizations, individuals and periodicals, including Focus on the Family, Sojourners and Christianity Today. Awards were announced at the EPA's annual convention, held in Colorado Springs May 2-4, 2007.
The Canadian Church Press, with a membership of over 65 publications, gave the MB Herald a first place Award of Merit in the Biblical Interpretation category for the article. Their annual conference was held May 3-5 in Toronto. Pierre was one of nine award winners from the Herald at both CCP and EPA this year.
"We're grateful for having received such a wonderful honor," says Herald Editor Laura Kalmar. "God is indeed working through the members of our Mennonite Brethren family by blessing us with gifts of creativity, wisdom, and communication."
Gilbert is the Program Coordinator and Associate Professor of Old Testament studies at the Winnipeg Centre for Ministry Studies, MB Biblical Seminary's Manitoba campus. In his piece, "Welcome to the complex life: A reflection on the book of Daniel," Gilbert encourages readers to seek God and value mission over lifestyle.
Gilbert states in his article, "The overriding concern of the disciple of Christ is not whether he or she should seek a particular version of the "simple" or "complex" life. The first concern of the disciple of Christ is to seek God and to be sensitive to God's specific call on his or her life in partnering with him."
The goal of MB Biblical Seminary, which also has campuses in Langley, British Colombia and Fresno, California, is to inspire and equip men and women to live as disciples of Jesus Christ, and to serve and lead in the church and in the world.