44 students graduated from Steinbach Bible College Saturday.

College president Rob Reimer says the class has a strong ministry component where the students exemplify a strong desire to serve both on and off the campus.

Valedictorian Ashley Penner (Photo credit: SBC)"My hope for them is that they will find joy in serving," notes Reimer. "That they will use the gifts and abilities they've been given to His full glory. While they do that, they will experience a sense of their role in the greater work that God has for them in the Kingdom."

Reimer says the valedictorian, Ashley Penner, represents her class well and is someone who does a lot of behind the scene things for students, whether or not she's noticed for the work.

Penner is graduating with a three-year degree in Bible Theology and notes it's a huge honour to have been nominated and chosen as the graduate to represent her class. She says it's encouraging and empowering to know her class has appreciated the work she has done throughout the years.

She adds a hope for her fellow graduates and says she hopes they continue to use their gifts and the knowledge they've acquired while at SBC to serve their church and community.

"I saw it a lot on MX3 (Mission X, year 3) when we went to the Philippines," notes Penner. "Everyone working together to lead what they were good in, and yet everyone serving each other. I think that's been an incredible gift that we've given to the rest of the student body as well; just to encourage each other and empower each other and build each other up. To be able to use what we're good at, and know those things, and be confident in those things, yet still be humble and servants in the church, which I think will be really valuable as we leave here."

Penner says she wants to continue onto University, get her education degree, and become a middle school teacher.