When Gerald Barkman assumes the role of Principal at Mennonite Collegiate Institute (MCI) in Gretna this August, it will be a kind of homecoming for the private school alumnus.

Barkman, who is taking over the job from the out-going Bernie Leoppky, says he is excited to re-join the MCI team where he began his long-running Christian education career many years ago. He spent his first year out of Bible college teaching at the institution.

"I really enjoyed my time there and it actually turned me into the area of teaching in Christian education and ministry," said Barkman. "And so all my life I've been kind of been looking forward to maybe returning to MCI, the place where I started, and maybe it's somewhere I can end my career down the road."

"The bottom line is that we're doing all of this for the Lord and we're doing it for the kids," explained Barkman.

While Barkman says he's looking forward to further encouraging the school's many successful extra-curricular programs upon his return, he notes he's also eager to share his passion for Christian education and faith.

"The bottom line is that we're doing all of this for the Lord and we're doing it for the kids," explained Barkman. "I keep looking at Christian education as being, to me, the most important way we can impact our world for Christ (and) if we can impact our kids who become the future leaders of our society. You can get so much more bang for your buck when you teach young people and they go out into the world and teach so many more others about the Lord and bring those principles into action."

In addition, Barkman says he is excited to expand on the already impressive student-led servanthood initiatives happening at MCI as well as growing the family dynamic at the school.

Barkman holds degrees in Bible, Education, Phys. Ed/Recreation and Administration from Goshen College, the University of Manitoba and the University of Indiana. He also has extensive experience coaching various sports like basketball, baseball, badminton, and hockey. However, it is his global perspective that he hopes to bring to the job.

Having grown up in a missionary family that served in Northern Canada, Belgium, and the Congo, Barkman has experienced many cultures over the years. He's also earned a deep appreciation for his Mennonite heritage gleaned from an earlier job as manager of the Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach. As an adult, Barkman has worked in Morocco, India, Venezuela, and four Canadian provinces.

"To me, it's not only the education and things that you have under your belt, but it's the experiences that you've had through life that help you to put everything into perspective and you can be more empathetic with students that come in," he explained. "So to me it's bringing those experiences in and saying 'We are a family. It doesn't matter where we come from, let's enjoy being together as Christians and brothers and sisters in the Lord'."

Currently, Barkman is wrapping up his work with a Christian school in Caracas, Venezuela.

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