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Meet our missionaries
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Tony & Janet Ens
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If Tony and Janet Ens seem drawn to youth ministry, there could be a few
good reasons for it. Perhaps one is that it was as a teenager that Tony
experienced the life-changing power of Christ.
Tony grew up going to church in southern Manitoba -- walking there
most Sundays, as his parents were often out of town for business on
weekends.
But, as a teen, Tony recalls his desire to be accepted by his peers
leading to activities "not consistent with my so-called faith." Not
long after an altercation with the law (and a stern lecture from his
father), Tony attended a youth rally. The speaker gave a powerful
message about the need to deal with the sin. "I responded to the
message," says Tony.
The summer after graduating from high school, Tony worked as a Bible
camp counsellor in southern Manitoba. He met some Bible college students
there who inspired his desire for Bible training. It was also at that
camp that Tony met Janet Klassen.
Janet was raised near Morden (MB) on a family-operated
strawberry/market garden farm. Hers was a Christian home but, despite
biblical teaching, Janet began narrowly thinking of herself as a "good
person." At age 12, though, at an evangelistic meeting, she realized
that she could never be "good enough" for heaven. Later that evening
she asked for forgiveness for her sins.
Janet's grandmother had a strong interest in world missions and a
special love for Native people -- often inviting those who were
travelling through in for coffee or a meal. But it was at Nipawin Bible
Institute that Janet was personally challenged to become a missionary.
Tony had chosen NBI as well and, during the summers between school
years, both he and Janet were exposed to Native missions through camp
work. In 1988, while engaged to be married, they attended the NMTC
program -- Tony assigned to Oxford House, Manitoba; Janet to Pelly
Crossing, Yukon.
Both found their village experiences to be challenging and
stretching. And even though she sensed God calling her to full-time
Native ministry, Janet was not sure she could handle missionary life
long-term. "The inner struggle that summer was intense," recalls
Janet. Finally she was able to say, "Yes, God, You have the best plan
for my life ... I am willing." She recalls being flooded with peace.
After three years in Ontario, the Ens' joined NCEM, moving to Pelly
Crossing, and later to Whitehorse where they presently serve with their
four children. Outreach to adults in Pelly had been disappointingly
slow, but they made great inroads into the lives of children and teens. "Now," says Tony,
"some of our best contacts and mentoring
opportunities have come through those who were youth in Pelly but are
now young adults."
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of our missionaries
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