A Disciple Maker Story


Pete Friesen Reached Three Continents by PAUL BOEKER


Peter “Pete” Z. Friesen graduated from Grace Bible Insti- tute in 1948 and very soon went to Morocco under GMU (now Avant Ministries). Pete was one of about 10 young people from the Meade EMB Church (now Countryside Bi- ble Church) of rural Meade, Kansas, who joined the world missionary force through the encouragement of Pastor Orlando Wiebe in the years following World War II.


Shortly after arriving in Morocco in 1950, Pete married Elsie Regier, a missionary who had come two years earlier. The couple had three children when, in 1955, Elsie died of complications during her fourth pregnancy. Within the year, Wilma Harder, a fellow missionary and close friend, accepted Pete’s offer of marriage and became a valuable helpmate and mother to the three children.


Peter Z. and Wilma Friesen, c. 1974


Pete was one of those missionar- ies who quickly learn the lan- guage and culture of the people they love. During their years in Morocco, Pete and Wilma devel- oped a large network of friends. Morocco had no churches, so their ministry was person-to-per- son. Pete’s ministry was to be a coleporteur [a peddler of religious books]. He set up a literature table at the market, passed out tracts, sold books and got to know peo- ple. Wilma ministered to women and often had classes in their home for neighborhood children.


One of Pete’s unique experiences while in Morocco was to help evacuate some friends who were caught in the terrible Agadir earthquake (1960) which claimed the lives of over 15,000 people. Indeed, they were often called on to admin- ister first-aid during their years in Morocco.


During their last few years in Morocco, Pete and Wilma worked at Bethel Academy, a school for missionary children. Pete did administration, maintenance, and about everything except teach. Wilma was “mother” to up to 21 children, feed- ing them, washing clothes, and providing a loving home.


Political changes in Morocco forced Pete and Wilma to leave Morocco in 1969. After living there 20 years, they had one month to sell, give away, or pack everything they owned. They went first to Málaga, Spain to regroup and plan. While they were searching for a new ministry, they helped to establish the Black Forest Academy in Germany, a boarding school for missionary children. The Friesens served as house parents for a time, but their heart was really in Arab Evangelism.


Soon they were reassigned to Belgium to minister to the thousands of Arabs who had migrated to Belgium for


Pete Z. Friesen’s coleporteur’s table draws interest on a Brussels street (1974)


employment. Friesens operated the “House of Life” in Brussels for many years. At the same time, they were en- gaged in church planting and hospitality.


At various times, both Pete and Wilma served their fellow missionaries in the role of field treasurer. Pete was also the mission field coordinator for a time.


Friesens returned to the States in 1986 to work with the Arab Church of Dallas, Texas. Pete and Wilma retired in 1991 and resettled in Newton, Kansas. For several years Pete took classes at the University of Wichita to meet and min- ister to Arabic-speaking students. He also taught English to students. The Friesens named their home “Dayspring,” and it became an oasis of love and fellowship for Arab students in Wichita. Many bowls of couscous and innumerable cups of tea were served in the basement family room that was arranged and decorated as a Moroccan dining room.


Pete and Wilma also kept in touch with Arab friends by phone, visits and letters. Often their friends and guests were children and grandchildren of the people they had introduced to Christ in Morocco and Belgium. Several times they were able to go back to Morocco to meet their friends in person.


In later years, Friesens moved to Oklahoma to be closer to their children. Wilma left this world for the Lord’s care in 2016. Pete joined the Lord on April 3, 2021.


Our Fellowship is grateful for the immense contribution Peter Z. and Wilma Friesen have made in spreading the Gospel throughout the Arab world.


Paul Boeker was pastor for 13 years at Pete Z. Friesen’s home church, the Meade EMB Church (now Countryside Bible Church) and had occasional opportunities to enjoy their hospi- tality and hear their stories. For many of those years, Paul was also on the FEBC Commission on Missions. Paul and his wife, Fayth, are now retired and live in Omaha.


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