Dave Reimer has been named the next president of Steinbach Bible College.
S.B.C and its Board of Directors announced on January 31st, that Reimer has accepted the new position.
Dave Reimer has been part of the SBC family for the past 20 years. After graduating from college he became a board member and then started teaching at the school.
"I ended up teaching full-time from 2007 until 2012. Then I took up the bishop role at the Christian Mennonite Conference (CMC), and now I've been teaching part-time, one course every semester. So I've been significantly engaged for 20 years." The CMC is one of the four supporting church conferences of SBC.
Reimer continues, "I am very interested in the mission of the college for the sake of the church and the world. Those are very significant to me. I'm watching that and wanting to know who is going to take this up and so, it is on my heart as well."
He notes that he understands SBC has its own culture. "It has a life of its own. Students living in dorms, that's significant. The mission trips they do together. So, we've been on reserves up north and with our students in downtown Winnipeg, and so, yeah, doing life together."
Reimer knows that he has the support of his family and the staff at SBC behind him.
"I have the best life ever. I have a wife, five children, and 12 grandchildren, which are really significant to me. I know everybody at the school because I've been an adjunct teacher there for the past number of years, so I know the people. I know the people I'm working with, all of the board members, and a lot of the constituent leaders as well. I've been able to connect with a lot of them, so I feel like I've got a decent head start with regard to relationships. Now I just need to figure out what a president does and look forward to learning that."
Reimer has spent 26 years leading churches in the CMC, mentoring and guiding church leaders.
Chair of the SBC Board of Directors Trevor Arsenault, says, “The Board is excited to work with Dave as we move forward to serve the next generation of churches and the community."
Reimer will succeed Dr. Terry Hiebert, the interim president of SBC. Hiebert will retire at the conclusion of the 2022-23 academic year.
Hiebert says, “As a part-time and regular faculty, Dave brought an engaging biblical and Christ-centered focus to students. His pastoral care for students and staff will exemplify the best of SBC's values. I look forward to seeing where God leads Dave and the team in the next phase of the SBC journey.”
And to Dr. Hiebert, Reimer says, "My friend, Terry. My words to him would be, thank you. Terry has been the Academic Dean when I started there as a full-time teacher. He gave me an opportunity there. He's one of those servants that teaches in the classroom and has now stepped in to help out in this role, because that's what we needed for this year, and Terry stepped in and did that. He's a great supporter and I know that I'll be able to give him a call and say "Hey, what does the president do?", Reimer says with a smile."But I really feel the support and it's really good."
Reimer says, "It has become my passion to help raise up the next generation of Christian leaders for the strength of the church, and for hope in our world,” Reimer said. “I see SBC as a significant place where that kind of ministry happens. I look forward to being back on the SBC team in a full-time capacity again.”
Reimer is expected to officially start his duties as Steinbach Bible College president on June 1, 2023.