RJC has embarked on a crucial next step in educating students for lives of faith, service, and peacemaking: the RENEW Campaign, a $10 million initiative to renew and restore the facilities that serve RJC’s thriving academic and dormitory programs. As we share more updates in the months to come, we are honoured Armin and Edith Krahn have chosen to generously help RENEW RJC.
Long-term supporters of RJC and volunteers in the community, Armin and Edith Krahn were each raised with examples of generosity, being taught to share, long before they met at RJC. Now, their generational legacy of generosity continues to grow with the Krahn’s gift to the RJC RENEW campaign.
From the start, RJC was “a family” thing for both Armin and Edith’s families. Their sibling had attended and they knew they would too – and they were looking forward to it. “My mother butchered and sold chickens so we could attend,” shared Edith.
Armin and Edith met as students at RJC [1961 and 1960, respectfully]. After the Christmas banquet, they were both on the clean-up committee. “There were no dishwashers then,” chuckled Edith. “Armin was the only guy to came in and offer to help with the dishes. I liked his sense of humour, he was a fun guy.”
After graduating, Edith went to work in the city. Armin went to Canadian Mennonite Bible College [now CMU] for a year, before returning to Saskatoon to take Vocational Agriculture. Edith and Armin reconnected at First Mennonite Church Young People’s Group, where they were both attending. After Armin graduated from the University of Saskatchewan, they married and settled into the life of hardworking farmers and raising a family. They never forgot RJC and chose to donate over the years “because we believe in RJC.”
“We’ve been fortunate, which has enabled us to give,” said Armin.
The Krahns giving extends beyond years of financial support for the school. Edith has volunteered at MCC Village Green Thrift for decades. Armin served on the RJC Board for nine years, driving the 240 km trip each way for meetings. While still farming, the Krahns welcomed RJC students as part of an agriculture course to butcher a pig. “That was a fun day,” laughed Armin.
Taught by example, not word alone, the Krahns now continue this generational legacy with their grandchildren and great grandchildren, gifting them MCC chickens as part of each Christmas.
While attending RJC, Armin and Edith lived in the old dorms. In 2025, they toured the “new” dorms, built in 1970. Seeing students’ “home for the school year”, the Krahns recognized the need to renew the dorms and school to continue to attract more youth to RJC. “The dorm is at a crossroad,” said Armin. “Either it has to be repaired, renovated to a degree to where kids would enjoy being there or they won’t go.”
The RJC RENEW campaign will replace the exterior dorm building envelope and upgrade the student living areas to ensure the “good bones” of this building can last for another 60 years. “We gave to RENEW because we want the school to be able to continue,” said Edith. “Our gift to RJC means enabling some of these young people to learn and begin walking the Christian life.”
“When you believe in something, you want it to continue, to be part of it,” added Armin.
The Krahns know that RJC helps develop the whole child, teaching leadership, kindness, and how faith is lived, not pushed. “We want to encourage young people to follow Jesus and God’s word,” said Edith. The Krahns have witnessed and heard stories of how “RJC brings out talents and abilities students didn’t know they have.”
“We want to give that opportunity to young people,” added Armin.
Thank you, Armin and Edith, for supporting RENEW. Continuing the generational legacy of generosity learned from your families ensures future generations can walk the RJC path of faith, service and peacemaking!
Interested in learning more about RJC RENEW and this pivotal moment where meaningful investment will allow us to continue delivering excellent education in a safe, modern, and inspiring environment? Please reach out to the Development Office at development@rjc.sk.ca.
Recent Comments