June 2nd

Activ8 Pilot Year a Transformative Experience

The inaugural year of an innovative new discipleship program for young adults is now in the books, and it has proved to be transformative for participants.

Activ8 is an eight-month program ideal for a high school graduate unsure about next steps, a university or college student looking for a gap-year experience, or any young adult who wants to better understand themselves and deepen their faith. Learning happens in community with peers at retreats and regular gatherings, with mentoring by supportive older adults, through online engagement with guest speakers from around the world, and in intentional service opportunities.

Elizabeth Wiens (Nordheim) was one of the participants in this 2025-2026 pilot year. “Before this program, I thought of my faith journey as much more of an individual journey, in the sense that it was something I had to do on my own,” she says. “Through this program I’ve been able to see just how crucial it is to let other people into your journey and be able to be vulnerable and ask questions. The insight and support of others has been invaluable to my spiritual formation over these last months.”

The part-time expectations of the program allow the participant to work or engage in other study part-time as well. Sunny Lo (Fort Garry) took this even further, participating fully in the program while remaining a full-time student at the University of Manitoba. “I felt cared about through the busy months of dealing with my schoolwork,” he says, “even when I haven’t attended in-person [church] services for a couple of weeks.”

The local church, however, remains crucial to the program. “A central vision of Activ8 was that participants would remain rooted in their local communities and congregations,” says Activ8 director Kim Arpin-Ricci (Little Flowers). “Congregations were treated as active partners in formation through mentorship, encouragement, financial support, and shared community life.”

Reflecting on this, Elizabeth says, “My church has been a great support through the program, and has helped support me financially for Activ8. Their faith in me and curiosity about what I’m learning has been a great motivator for me to do my best and make the most of the program.”

Kim (photo left) was the original motivator behind the program, which is a partnership between Mennonite Church Manitoba and Peace & Justice Initiatives.

“The Activ8 pilot began as an experiment to imagine what young adult formation and discipleship might look like within the realities of modern life, local congregations, work, school, and community,” she says. “Over eight months it became something more tangible: a genuine community shaped by honesty, reflection, mentorship, challenge, care, and growth.”

Are you a young adult who might be interested in Activ8 for this fall? Or do you know a young adult who might be interested? Check out www.mennochurch.mb.ca/activ8. If you would like to contribute financially to support Activ8 or other faith formation ministries of MCM, see www.mennochurch.mb.ca/giving.