View source for Siemens, Nikolai (1895-1958)

Nikolai Siemens, a leader of the Mennonites in the [[Fernheim Colony (Boquerón Department, Paraguay)|Fernheim Colony]], [[Paraguay|Paraguay]], was born 15 March 1895 in Johannesfeld in the [[Crimea (Ukraine)|Crimea]], South Russia, died 24 September 1958 in Fernheim. In 1910 his family moved to Smolyanovka, [[Omsk (Siberia, Russia)|Omsk]] district, [[Siberia (Russia)|Siberia]], where he was baptized at 15 in the [[Mennonite Brethren Church|Mennonite Brethren (MB) Church]] and early chosen as preacher. In 1923-25 he attended the Bible School at Tchongrav, Crimea, and the following year the [[Orenburg Mennonite Settlement (Orenburg Oblast, Russia)|Orenburg]] Bible School, after which he returned to Smolyanovka to become leader of the MB congregation there. In 1929 he immigrated to Paraguay and settled in Fernheim in 1930. Here he became editor of the <em>[[Menno-Blatt|Menno-Blatt]]</em>, which he edited and published for 25 years. He served for varying periods on the “[[Kommission für kirchliche Angelegenheiten]],” on the Missions Committee, and as director and teacher of the traveling Bible school, the forerunner of the [[Fernheim Bible Institute (Filadelfia, Boquerón Department, Paraguay)|Fernheim Bible School]]. He was the guide and teacher of many young ministers, was active in youth work, was a warm advocate in inter-Mennonite co-operation, and a loyal and firm supporter of Fernheim Colony.
= Bibliography =
<em>Menno-Blatt (</em>16 October 1958).
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