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Hepburn, Sask.
Bethany, YMI partner together to offer off-campus ministry

Rick Schellenberg

Students at Bethany Bible Institute in Hepburn, Sask. will have an opportunity to become involved in an off-campus ministry beginning this February, thanks to a partnership between the school and Youth Mission International.

“YMI provides our students with an incredible opportunity to learn as Jesus’ disciples learned – on the job of mission,” said Bethany president Rick Schellenberg. “Taking the classroom to the street will train leaders to advance God’s kingdom more effectively.”

Bethany’s first-year students will be involved in practical church and urban ministries in Calgary February 7–17, 2002 as part of YMI’s ACTION program. Willy Reimer, pastor of SunWest Christian Fellowship in Calgary, says, “We’re looking forward to partnering with Bethany and YMI to impact Calgary for Christ. It is also very important for students to grow in their love and understand what it means to ‘be and do’ church in the 21st century. My hope is that this experience will help students grow in their appreciation and passion for ministry in the local church.”

Randy Friesen

Meanwhile, Bethany’s second-year students will join a larger evangelistic ministry at the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. Kevin Snyder will provide overall leadership for these ministries. Previously, Snyder was YMI’s SOAR northeast coordinator, a youth pastor in British Columbia for several years and associate dean of students (men) at Bethany.

Bethany students have participated on YMI’s ACTION and TREK mission teams for many years. The value of YMI’s experience and training have been recognized.

“Our partnership with MB schools provide the best of classroom learning with ‘hands-on’ experiential learning in a mission setting,” said Randy Friesen, YMI director. “We are interested in making disciples who love Jesus and their neighbour with equal passion.”

Currently, YMI’s TREK program provides an eight-month internship option for students taking the bachelor of arts program in cross-cultural ministries at Bethany.

 – Bethany release

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Last modified October 10, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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