CMU announces new Outtatown director

Paul Kroeker

Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg, has appointed Paul Kroeker as the new director of CMU’s Outtatown program.

Outtatown was formerly known as School of Discipleship, a Concord College program for young adults. Students spend the fall semester in discipleship training in retreat settings in western Canada, and then travel to either Guatemala or South Africa for the second semester. The program combines travel, learning, service and spiritual growth.

In announcing the appointment, CMU’s president Gerald Gerbrandt said, “Paul brings to the position and the program a unique combination of skills and experience. He is a gifted administrator; he knows Christian education and young people; he has a pastoral heart; he is an experienced team leader.”

Kroeker was principal of Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna, Man. for the past seven years. Prior to that he was president of Winkler Bible Institute, where he also taught Old Testament, directed Christian Service and was dean of students.

Kroeker says, “Throughout my life I have cared deeply about discipleship and faith formation issues in the life of the church.” He says he is looking forward to integrating a clear vision for Outtatown into the larger CMU program. “I will want the program to have theological depth and academic integrity with a real sense that the world is the classroom.”

Kroeker and his wife Arlene have two grown children. He replaces Wally Schmidt who founded the program and led it during its first seven years. Schmidt is moving to Ontario where he will be executive director of Global Shore Opportunities, a program that combines work with tourism and volunteering in Guatemala.

—CMU release