Next month Steinbach Bible College (SBC) students are beginning their mission work across the globe.

First-year students will be working in Winnipeg for a week, most second years will be in northern communities for a week, and third years are going to the Philippines for three weeks this year.

Robyn Kampen and Gino Yso are second-year students from Steinbach Bible College who are taking part in this year's MissionX. Kampen will be working in Northern Manitoba communities for a week with her class, while Yso will be going to the Philippines with SBC's third-year students. 

 

Gino Yso - Philipines

Yso is a second-year student who will be joining the third-year students on their trip to the Philippines. He was invited to join the trip because of his connection to the Philippines and his ability to help translate. Yso is from Winnipeg but has visited the Philippines many times with his family and speaks the language.

"It is going to be familiar to me, but very unfamiliar to me because there's a different reason, a different purpose, and a different mission," Yso says.

The Philippines group was originally slated to work with Helping Hands, an organization started by their professor, but the recent volcano eruption deturned their plans.

"There are always places to in the Philipines," Yso says. "It is just a matter of God revealing (to our professors) where to go."

He hopes to bridge the gap between both cultures and says it is a "good weight" to have.

"My mission out there is to see things differently." 

Yso is studying for an Associate of the Arts in Biblical Studies and Theology. 

The group making the three-week trip will be returning mid-March.

 

Robyn Kampen - Northern Manitoba

Kampen is from Blumenort, a small town in Manitoba close to SBC and has done mission work in northern Manitoba previously with her home church.

"I went two years in a row with my church," Kampen says. "The relationship side is a way we can connect really well and fellowship with each other."

Her mission trip will begin with training in Thompson, Manitoba on February 19. The second-year students will learn about how to interact with northern communities.

"I am expecting to be blessed and encouraged by their way of living," Kampen says. "It is going to be humbling."

Kampen will be heading to Norway House for her posting. Kampen says the community recently lost their church and has been holding services in homes. 

"There are needs in these communities and it is beautiful to see the way that they are pulling together and helping each other out."

Kapen is working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies with a focus on missions.

SBC says MissionX is "an important part of helping equip students for church ministry."

First and second-year students make their trips one week before spring break every year. The third-years will spend three weeks away instead of having a regular spring break.