Norm’s Journey

On Saturday, February 19, 2000, Norm Neufeld passed from the arms of his loving family into the arms of his beloved Heavenly Father.

Norm was the youngest of eleven children born to Henry and Lydia Neufeld in Herbert, Saskatchewan, on November 19, 1943. He grew up in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. As a family we heard many stories of life on the farm—milking cows, picking strawberries, hoeing beans, playing baseball and taking the annual one day vacation trip to Hatzic Lake.

After high school, Norm attended Columbia Bible College. He graduated from Mennonite Brethren Bible College in Winnipeg and then from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo.

Norm and Irene met at MBBC and were married on June 1, 1968 in St. Catharines, Ontario. They moved to Fresno, California where Norm completed a Master of Divinity at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in 1970.

Norm had an unflagging commitment to the church and a great passion for ministering to people and encouraging them in their walk with God. He loved God’s Word and delighted in studying it and teaching it to others. Norm and Irene enjoyed years of ministry in Onida, South Dakota; Stoney Creek, Ontario; Regina, Saskatchewan; Winnipeg and Steinbach, Manitoba. He eagerly anticipated returning to ministry.

Norm loved Irene dearly and treasured his children Karis, Jason and Justin as special gifts from God. The family circle grew to include Reyn, Andrew and Andrea, and Norm embraced them as his own. His infectious humour and ability to laugh at himself have left us many precious memories. Norm had the grace to take himself lightly and the compassion to always be concerned for others. He taught us to take hold of life with great zest, but to treat others with great tenderness.

Norm leaves to mourn his passing so many who were touched by his energy, who enjoyed his playfulness, who were given new insights, who entered his prayers, who shared meals spiced with laughter, who were embraced by his love.

In January 2000 we celebrated the anniversary of Norm’s transplant. True to form, Norm fought bravely to the end, but God chose to take him home. To all who have stood by us on our long and difficult journey, we again offer our thanks for your prayers and many expressions of love. You have been the hands and feet of Jesus to us. God’s very own love has touched and sustained us through you.

While yet we understand so little, we commit Your servant into Your loving care.
His, indeed, was a life well lived.

From Norm’s Desk

Norm was preparing a sermon series on the Book of Ruth, the first of which he planned to deliver on Sunday, February 20th. We found these rough notes for that sermon on his desk. In the margins he noted he was reading the book, When God Interrupts. Here are some of Norm’s thoughts on the text:

God is bigger than any pain or problem

God is fully in control

God does not automatically spare his people from pain, suffering and loss

The problem is not with God but with our faulty understanding

Not all tragedies are God’s will. But ... God is greater and bigger than any tragedy imaginable and can and does work through it to accomplish his will

God is Mysteriously Sovereign Over All of Life