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Janzen, Aaron A. (1882-1957)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Aug 29 p. 3
Birth date: 1882
text of obituary:
Pioneer Missionary To Belgian Congo Dies
M. B. MISSION WORK DEVELOPED FROM EFFORTS OF REV. A. A. JANZEN
Hillsboro, Kansas. — Rev. Aaron A. Janzen, a pioneer missionary of the Mennonite Brethren Church in the Belgian Congo, died on August 19 at Winnipeg, Man.
The 75-year-old churchman first went to Africa in 1912. In 1956 Bro. and Sister Janzen returned to America. Death came as the Janzens were on a deputation ministry in Manitoba in the interests of the work to which he gave his life.
The memorial service was held in Mountain Lake, Minn. on August 23. Bro. Janzen was a member of the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. He is survived by Mrs. Janzen, the former Martha Hiebert, who first went to the Congo in 1928.
During his lifetime Bro. Janzen had the joy to see the Gospel work which he started make tremendous strides. Out of the independent work which he and the first Mrs. Janzen launched grew the large, present-day work of the Mennonite Brethren Church in the Belgian Congo. At present the M. B. missionary staff there numbers 65. The first Mrs. Janzen, Ernestina Strausz, laid down her life in Belgian Congo in 1937.
The life and ministry of Bro. Janzen touched many Congolese. Word of his death wil [sic] spread rapidly in the Congo for he was known and beloved by many who became his spiritual children.
The extent and effect of his ministry did not go unnoticed. At one time he was given high recognition by the government of the Belgian Congo for his service in behalf of the Congolese.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Sep 5 p. 8
