SBC Professor Arlene Friesen goes to her next calling

STEINBACH BIBLE COLLEGE is saying goodbye to long-time Bible professor, worship instructor and registrar Arlene Friesen.

Arlene and her husband Jacob are moving on to the next ministry Christ has called them to, and the college will miss her.

Professor Arlene with the MX 3 Team at Ephesus, Türkiye.

Arlene is passionate about profound, heart-deep worship that draws the worshipper into the story of Jesus. We will miss her alto voice leading from wherever she sits in chapel. She loves exegesis, and has inspired a generation of students with her Bible teaching, particularly her exposition of the gospels. She is a formidable academic administrator whose grasp of the intricacies of academic degree requirements gained the respect of faculty colleagues. She is an eloquent preacher whose sermon recently set Revelation 21–22 on fire for the student body. She loves cross-cultural ministry and has been a leader in intercessory prayer for the witness of Jesus across the world.

Arlene has led our first-year Mission Exposure teams to inner-city Winnipeg for many years. Students have appreciated her quiet, attentive way of listening to them and responding with spiritual direction that is honest and life-giving. Arlene presents the church with a prophetic challenge. Here is someone who lives as though the Bible, worship, teaching and service are exalted realities worth giving one’s life to completely. If her life is true, what does that mean for the rest of us?

We thank God for lending Arlene to SBC for these years and we send her out with gratitude and prayers.