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Outtatown Achieves High Enrolment
By N. Kampen
The mission of CMU’s Outtatown
Discipleship School is to inspire
and nurture students in their life of
discipleship with Jesus Christ. Outtatown
opens students to a journey
towards knowing God in truth and
relationship; knowing themselves in
personality, character, abilities, and
gifts; and knowing the world in its
beauty, diversity, and pain.
CMU’s Outtatown program is resonating
with today’s Christian youth,
attracting strong leaders and high enrolment,
with 105 students participating
this year in four Outtatown sites.
The majority of students are taking
part in Outtatown’s two-semester
programs, with one site offered in
Guatemala and two in South Africa.
New this year is a one-semester French
Africa program, with 12 students
enrolled.
CMU Welcomes New Director
Outtatown Director Cam Priebe,
building on the commitment of former
director Paul Kroeker, is excited with
the positive start to this year’s program.
In taking on his
new role, Priebe
brings a strong
background in
pastoral care and
leadership of students.
He holds
a Master of Arts
degree in Christian
Ministry
Cameron Priebe
from Mennonite
Brethren Biblical Seminary (MBBS),
in Fresno. His previous experience
includes serving at Bethany College
and Ministry Quest at MBBS. As well,
in his former role with the Mennonite
Brethren National Conference, Priebe
assisted young leaders and churches in
developing their understanding of how
they are uniquely gifted to serve and
love God.
“We have a strong team of site leaders
and a great group of students,” says
Priebe. “I am confident that this will
be a meaningful and eventful year for
our Outtatown program.”
Site Leaders Bring Their Gifts
Fifteen site leaders for CMU’s four
sites gathered at CMU in September
Front row (left to right): Jeff Tchadjeu, Bethany Bustard, Gypsi Town, Marie-Odyle Masse, Myrielle Tremblay,
Natali Drake, Josh Dookhie, Randi Dookhie, Jesse Town. Back row (left to right): Lisa Frances, Steve Klassen,
Sandy Town, Stefan Kliewer, James Cuthbert, Rafael Duerkson
for fellowship and orientation before
embarking with their groups. The
final days of preparation created excitement
among the leaders.
Gypsi Town, a South Africa site
leader along with her husband Jesse, is
thrilled to be serving with Outtatown.
The couple from Barrie, Ontario came
to CMU after working in disaster relief
in Japan. “We appreciate living in
community and making our faith real
– surrounded by Christian believers,
challenged to make faith a lifestyle and
not just a weekly activity,” says Town.
French Africa leader Jeff Tchadjeu, a
McMaster University political studies
graduate from Etibicoke, Ontario,
embraced the opportunity to be an
Outtatown leader in a French language
setting. “Outtatown offers a place
where I can live out and grow my
faith,” he says.
Former Outtatown student, Steve
Klassen (OT ’04, South Africa) returned
for a second year as a site leader.
“The highlight for me is watching
students grow and trust in God in a
deeper way.” Klassen particularly appreciates
the growth that comes from
living in community. “Our focus is on
people as the church.”
Rafael Duerksen, who grew up in
Paraguay, graduated from CMU in
2008. Duerksen served for back-toback
years as a leader in South Africa
and returned this year as a leader
in Guatemala. What he finds most
rewarding is the change he sees in the
students over the year. “Conversation
becomes so much deeper as students
change their world views, become less
complacent, and seek to authentically
walk with Jesus.”
Myrielle Tremblay, serving in the
French Africa program after two years
as a leader in South Africa, sums up
the shared vision of the Outtatown
leaders. “We are sharing our love for
Jesus,” she says.
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