An expression of the kingdom of God

Editor’s note: Michelle and Greg Steffen of Steffen Farm have been partnering with IVEP for multiple cohorts. This year Steffen Farm has welcomed Erik Warkentin of Brazil as part of their team.

When Greg and I started working on his family dairy farm in 2005 after careers in education, we knew we wanted the farm to be an educational space. We also value the faith aspect of community and believe that life is better shared. Therefore, we have shared our lives and farming space through field trips, internships, research projects and international 4-H exchanges.

Our shared experience with IVEP began in 2012-2013 when we were a partner with Felipe Preciado Bobadilla from Colombia. Since then, we have partnered with Muresi Ripau from Kenya (2019-2020), Misael Barron Kipfer from Bolivia (2023-2024) and currently Erik Warkentin from Brazil (2024-2025).

Each participant brings their own unique farm experience and interests, and we do what we can to foster opportunities and connections that will help them develop their skill set. As a dairy farm, we can offer experience with animal husbandry, equipment operation and maintenance, business management and crop development. We interact with a variety of professionals who can be additional resources for the participant. We also always learn new things from the participants.

We enjoy getting to know each participant as we work alongside them daily. They contribute to the daily chores and accompany us through the challenges and decisions that arise. We hope that they learn new skills and make connections that will remain throughout their life. We appreciate how these relationships have broadened our own global family. 

This year, I have enjoyed listening to Greg and Erik problem-solve together. Erik has innovative solutions and ideas for inventions. Together they designed and welded an extension for the truck bed. Currently, they are thinking of more efficient and effective ways to wash the bottles used to feed the calves. In the coming months, they have plans to get an old soybean roaster fixed and running. All these projects benefit from multiple perspectives and ideas.

Social media and technology today provide ways to stay connected with past IVEPers. We continue to be available for questions, encouragement and prayer in their life journeys. These friendships are what we value most.

We were also once a host family for Timóteo Augusto from Mozambique in 2014-2015, and we appreciate the host families who help to give the IVEP participants more community connections and a fuller life experience. Often, through their host families, the participants can join the local and church communities in meaningful ways.

We continue to partner with and host IVEP participants because we view this as an expression of the kingdom of God: Christian family walking together across cultures, generations and experiences to learn and grow together. Working with the IVEP participants often adds laughter and fun as we navigate the challenges and chores together.

Banner image: Erik Warkentin climbs onto the Steffen family’s tractor, preparing for field work on the farm. Steffen Farm photo/Michelle Steffen