Northern Youth Programs is a conservative Mennonite para-church organization. Each staff person is a member of his/her home church and an associate member of Northern Youth Programs. We minister inter-denominationally across Canada for mutual benefit. In these inter-denominational ministry relationships, we will remain firm in our own convictions while respecting the convictions of others. We are a Canadian organization with a mix of Canadian and American staff. We minister cross-culturally and operate in the Canadian environment. We are full-time missionaries with a primary interest in achieving Northern Youth Program’s mission and vision.
Northern Youth Programs is governed by a Board of Directors, each of whom has experience working in ministry in Northern Ontario.
Phil Herschberger, Board Chairman
Quarryville, Pennsylvania
Ken Martin, Board Vice Chairman
Waterloo, Ontario
Titus Lapp, Board Secretary
Freeport, Ohio
Ken Burkholder, Board Treasurer
New Holland, Pennsylvania
Darren Seibel, Board Member at Large
Turbotville, Pennsylvania
Elmer Bartsch, Board Member at Large
Arborg, Manitoba
Howard Lichty, Board Member at Large
Brunner, Ontario
Alan Steiner, Seneca, South Carolina
Conroy Loewen, Stone Lake, Wisconsin
Merle Burkholder, Sioux Lookout, Ontario
Dwight Martin, Mill Hall, Pennsylvania
Wilbert Loewen, Neepawa, Manitoba
Northern Youth Programs was founded in 1967. The objectives were to minister to the spiritual, emotional, and social needs of Aboriginal youth. The programs included schools, camps, retreats, and teaching programs. Various programs have been initiated and others have ceased to operate over the years.