Peggy Goertzen has been a pillar in Mennonite Brethren history over the last 50 years. As she prepares to retire this summer, she reflected on her storied career as keeper of MB history.
How it all began
Goertzen first worked in the Fresno, California, location of the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies in 1976. In the following years, she began numerous historical projects that further crafted her interest in the conference and its people.
After serving in an assisting role indexing the Christian Leader magazine and translating obituary inquiries, Goertzen was appointed director of the center on the Tabor College campus in 1992. This followed her husband, Gaylord’s, appointment as senior pastor at Ebenfeld MB Church outside of Hillsboro, Kansas, in 1988.
As director, Goertzen began to expand on the denomination’s vision for preservation and built upon the work started by Wesley J. Prieb since the idea of a center began in 1974.
The center at Tabor once occupied a small closet space near the circulation desk in the library. With Goertzen’s leadership, it has grown to over 4,000 square feet in the southern half of the building.
“It was exciting for me because I love everything about the (MB) church and God’s story through the people of these congregations,” she says. “It was terribly important that these stories were kept and documented.”
Stories to treasure
When people stop by to drop off family memorabilia or other materials related to the denomination, Goertzen always takes time to make sure the previous owner understands the significance of their donation—whether she was expecting them or not. She also fondly remembers visits from individuals or families whose legacy is closely tied to the college or the Mennonite or Mennonite Brethren church.
Goertzen says that countless examples of God’s faithfulness exist in the church and Tabor’s history fills the center’s archives, including Bibles printed roughly 250 years ago. Pinpointed by Goertzen, one of the many stories speaks to the community that surrounded the college after its original building burned down in 1918.
It’s a treasured story that tells of Tabor’s existence to this day.
“[At the meeting at Hillsboro MB Church, later the day of the fire] One man steps up and says, ‘If I had $100, I’d give it to Tabor so we can start again,’” Goertzen recalls. “Then another man said he’d do the same thing, and it was like popcorn around the room as people stepped forward. They had raised $10,000 in pledges that very day. If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be sitting here today.”
Goertzen smiled when she thought back to what her 18-year-old self would say about the life that was to come. Little did she know that her interest in becoming fluent in German in her hometown of Bakersfield, California, would become integral in her role in the preservation of Mennonite Brethren history
“I feel incredibly blessed by God’s leading in my life,” she says. “He also brought me a husband who I fell in love with, and we could learn about the heritage of the MB church together. It’s an incredible story that I’m glad he and I got to share.”
Loewen to be next center director
Goertzen will hand the reins of the center to Ryan Loewen, who will add director to his current title as assistant professor of theology at Tabor. Loewen is a native of Huron, South Dakota and a multi-generation Tabor student.
“I am deeply honored to be named the next CMBS director,” Loewen says. “CMBS has an essential role in preserving the stories, theology and historical memory that have shaped Mennonite Brethren identity for generations.
“To step into this role is humbling and energizing, and I am excited to continue the work faithfully done by others who have gone before me.”
Tabor College is the Mennonite Brethren college located in Hillsboro, Kansas. The mission of Tabor College, founded in 1908, is to prepare people for a life of learning, work and service for Christ and his kingdom.
