Head Office

Paul Kroeker, Director (Outtatown Discipleship School) and Dean of International Programs (CMU)

As the Director of the Outtatown Discipleship Schools, Paul considers it a privilege to be working with fine Christian leaders in a program that has such a profound impact in the lives of young adults. He grew up in Elm Creek, a small prairie town in Manitoba in a wonderful Christian home. After making a commitment to Jesus Christ in his teen years, Paul has had many opportunities both to be a disciple and to disciple others. This led him to study at Winkler Bible Institute, to complete a degree in education at University of Manitoba, to do Old Testament studies in Cincinnati, Ohio, and to study theology at Regent College in Vancouver (BSC, Cert. Ed., MA, and ThM). His work experience includes farming, construction, teaching, administration, pastoral work, and counseling. He is passionate about worship, being faithful to God, discipleship and mentoring, and about seeing God’s glory and goodness revealed in this world.

With a love for the Lord, a love for people and a love for the world that God has created, Paul has many hobbies and interests. First of all he loves to spend time with his family; his wife Arlene who is a musician, and two children, Tamara and Cameron, both in their college/university years. Other hobbies include running, reading, photography, gardening, travel, a good coffee, fine desserts, watching the news, and . . . more things than he has time and energy for. Some of these he does well and others quite badly.

He hates weeds and absolutely loves trees. Furthermore, he thinks he can dance but finds that the band or the other dance partners can never find the changing rhythms that he so clearly hears.

Anita Penner, Program Manager

After two years as a Site Leader in South Africa and one year as a student in Guatemala, Anita is continuing her adventure with Outtatown as a Program Manager in the Head Office.

With a degree in Communications and International Development from the University of Winnipeg, it makes sense that Anita is passionate about how travel changes people. Her experience leading church and university trips has confirmed that this happens best in the context of community and faith. Anita’s work experience has included coordinating an international internship program, working with the student life department at CMU and ultimately led to her role with the Outtatown Program.

Anita is a prairie girl and is excited to be settling back into Winnipeg after being on the road for two years. When she isn’t traveling or working, you can usually find her spending time with family or friends, occasionally playing beach volleyball and often reading.

Marcus Fowler, Program Manager

After recovering from a mild case of cabin fever brought on by spending countless hours in an editing room during film school, Marcus decided to take a break from computers in order to focus on relationships with humans. After graduating from Media Arts at Sheridan College, he chose to pursue his passion for discipleship and mentoring.

Outside of school, Marcus has been involved in youth work, both at home and abroad, for about eight years. He has spent four summers working at Muskoka Woods Sports Resort as sports instructor, counsellor and as a member of the pastoral staff. He has traveled to Romania four times to work with orphans and street children, and has been part of the Emerging Leaders program at his home church, The Meeting House, in Oakville, Ontario.

After two years as a Site Leader on the South Africa Program, Marcus couldn’t bear to leave us. He packed up his life in Ontario, moved out to Winnipeg, and joined the Outtatown office staff as Program Manager.

Marcus likes strong coffee, Mennonite food and has a special fondness for the Worship Director at his church (they are getting married in July 2008).