OTTERBURNE, MB – As a faith-based institution, Providence University College has ever prioritized the spiritual life of its students and employees. Being “Christ-first” is, after all, one of the school’s guiding values, and shapes the everyday experience of those who call Providence “home.”
Given the interdenominational composition of those who study, teach, and work at Providence, what this looks like in practice is sometimes different from year to year; the tapestry of Christian tradition, liturgy, and spiritual disciplines is deep and diverse. Yet – one aspect of campus life that has remained consistent over time is the opportunity for people to gather together for weekly events, such as community chapel.
For the past couple of decades, this has been organized by those who have occupied the position as chaplain, such as Dr. Randy Holm (former Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation), and most recently, Mat Lortie (current Assistant Professor of Church Ministries). Over this past year, however, Providence hired its first campus pastor, and we recently sat down with Matthew Antonio to learn more about working in this new role since January 2025.
PROVIDENCE: Can you share a little about your background and how first became acquainted with Providence?
MATTHEW ANTONIO: I was born and raised in Winnipeg, and I grew up in the West End. My mom is German Mennonite from the Portage la Prairie area. As for my dad, he is from the Philippines, and worked as a pastor for much of my upbringing. Faith came alive for me while attending a Baptist church in middle school and high school. And since I love sports, finding ways to integrate faith and sport was really important for me, which brought me to Providence. After doing two years here in General Studies – playing basketball and soccer – I finished a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education at the University of Winnipeg.
PROVIDENCE: Where did you work before starting your role as Campus Pastor?
MATTHEW ANTONIO: While I was finishing my degree at U of W, I had been volunteering at Niverville Community Fellowship, and I ended up working there as a youth and young adults pastor for ten years. My original plan was to be a gym teacher, but I really felt like God had opened a door for me to serve Him there. I had a passion for young people, and youth ministry was really important to my own spiritual formation.
PROVIDENCE: What is specifically involved in the Campus Pastor position at Providence? Would you say that it’s more similar to being an ordained pastor or a chaplain?
MATTHEW ANTONIO: It’s definitely a hybrid in that you’re meeting people where they’re at spiritually, which covers a whole variety of starting points – some who don’t share the same faith, some who are open to conversation and asking questions about spirituality or religion generally, and some who are committed believers who grew up in the church. It just depends on where a person is at, what they’re seeking, and how they might be wanting to grow. One of the most important things is to just be present to listen, to ask good questions, and to pray for people, wherever they’re at in the journey. As for what students can expect throughout the year, we have a prayer space, a discipleship group, community chapel on Wednesdays, Student Council chapel on Fridays, and a variety of special events like Day of Prayer, Missio Dei, and worship nights.
PROVIDENCE: How is the student experience different from either a public institution or a bible college, and what is the advantage of studying at an interdenominational school?
MATTHEW ANTONIO: Denominations can be fairly homogenous in terms of the demographic of people, so I love the diversity of people that are here in this space. It’s something that I’m still learning and wanting to find more supports to nurture the variety of faith traditions we have represented while staying centred on Christ. There’s a shared vision, a belonging, a relational investment that happens at a place like Providence. Here, there’s a level of care that our professors and student life department has for students, which is unique. And while the University College no longer predominantly trains people for missions or for work in the church, our staff and faculty love Christ, and this is reflected in the way that classes are taught with integrity, class, and character – whether it’s business, humanities, or whatever. In this way, people carry the example of the light of Christ into all spheres of work. Like Colossians 3 says, whatever we do, we can do it for the glory of God.
PROVIDENCE: How does supporting Providence and a position like Campus Pastor make a real difference in the lives of students?
MATTHEW ANTONIO: Part of the key work that we get to do here is walking with the broad spectrum of where people are at – from a variety of faith traditions and backgrounds – and as God meets them where they are, what God does here and beyond the borders of this place is just phenomenal. The more people we can be in support of and love and have compassion for and listen to, is huge. Like a cheerleader, I get to encourage people all the time, and it fills my soul in a way that is so life-giving. God is doing things in this place, and my ultimate hope is that students would encounter Christ in a way that profoundly changes their lives.
