Tribute

Nicholas John Dyck was born in Nikolaipol, Ukraine on November 5, 1921 to Johan and Katarina Dyck. This was during a very severe famine. The family had nothing to eat, so father and the whole family knelt in the living room in prayer. After father’s prayer, mother prayed, “Lord, if you will save my unborn child, I will give this child to you”. That child was Nick. He and the
family survived, thanks to answered prayers and Mennonite Central Committee. In August, 1923 the family immigrated to Canada, settling in Lanigan, Saskatchewan. Nick grew up on different farms, finally near Watrous. It was here that the Spirit of God mightily convicted him of his need for a Saviour, and in the spring of 1937 in an evangelistic service he received full assurance of sins forgiven. Two years later he was baptized in Manitou Lake and became a member of the Philadelphia Mennonite Brethren Church In the summer of 1941 his father requested he travel to B.C. with friends in the back of a pickup
truck. Nick fell in love with this new province, and was soon joined by his parents and younger brother Arthur. That fall his newly formed friends suggested he attend the Yarrow Bible School.  With the encouragement of his parents and their willingness to sacrifice much needed income and help in the building of a house, Nick joined 150 other students. This began to set a new
direction for his life. However conscription for Alternative Service as a conscientious objector to war also interrupted further studies until the fall of 1946. Having taken some Class 2 classes part-time, he was permitted to enter 3rd class. In a rather unique setting in class an acquaintanceship developed with Elizabeth (Betty) Wall. This grew into courtship and marriage
October 5, 1947. They moved to a small house on Nick’s property located near the Arnold,  Upper Sumas, settlement, where they spent 8 years and also attended church. Their twins,  Carolyne and Robert, and Lorraine were born here.  In the fall of 1955 Peter Neufeldt, the chairman of the Home Missions committee, invited Nick and Betty to pastor a new church plant in McConnell Creek, north of Mission, a work started by young people from the Matsqui M.B. church. This was totally unexpected for them, for Nick found public speaking very difficult. However, after thought and much prayer, Nick and Betty accepted the call. Here they served for just over 6 years, which became a training period for future ministry. Here two more children, John and Evelyn, were born. During this time Nick also directed children’s camps for 3 summers at Columbia Bible Camp, now Stillwood Conference
Centre. During his final summer at the camp, Abbotsford MB Church, now Central Heights Church,  invited Nick and Betty to become their pastor. They desired someone who would lead them in reaching out into the community. This was not common among Mennonite Brethren churches at that time. Sensing the clear call of God this became his charge for the next 11 years. It was here where their sixth child, Charles, was born, and where all six children were baptized. In 1973 Nick and his wife sensed a new door of ministry was opening. The provincial board of Church Extension invited him to become the executive director for church planting. The Lord blessed this ministry and during the next 14 years 31 churches joined the conference. During his vacation times he and Betty led numerous tour groups, visiting 31 countries, where they also usually touched base with missionaries. This was much appreciated by missionaries and tourists.  During his retirement he assisted Ontario in church planting, he served in Canada and parts of the USA in promoting church growth, and he became interim pastor in several churches, including Ottawa, Peace Arch and Central Heights. Also during his retirement, in 1995 the Lord opened a new door when he and Betty joined a Church Partnership Evangelism team to Ukraine under leadership of Peter Loewen. This was the first of 14 trips to the land of his birth, leading CPE groups of 20-25 people. It was on one of these trips that he was able to locate his birth place, enter the same house and give thanks where his mother had dedicated him to the Lord.  Nick chaired the CPE committee meetings, also led 5 groups to the Philippines and one to Thailand. Thereafter Nick continued to be active in Central Heights Church, leading the Early Risers prayer group, leading a Care group, and preaching occasionally at Rest Homes, etc. He
remained a faithful supporter of church leadership.  Nick’s life was a testimony to God’s wonderful grace. His desire was that God would receive all the glory for the many opportunities afforded for service in the kingdom of God. To him Jesus was central.
Nicholas was predeceased by his parents, as well as 8 brothers and 4 sisters. He leaves to mourn his beloved wife Elizabeth, their children Carolyne & David McCauley, Bob & Grace, Lorraine & Walter Wiebe, John & Suzette, Evelyn & David Nelson, Charles & Susan, plus 17 grandchildren & spouses, and 14 great grandchildren, plus a host of national and international extended family.
Live-streaming will be available at https://www.legacystreaming.com/wiebejeske. In honor of
Nicholas’ passion for missions, donations may be made to Multiply at www.multiply.net – Ukraine Project C0701.