CMU knows that learning and discovery don't need to stop once you retire, so they created a program for those 55-plus.

Xplore is a six-week program that "[investigates] dimensions of the Christian faith, our world, and life in it," according to their website.

The program was started four years ago. Gerald Gerbrandt is the President Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Bible at Canadian Mennonite University and says often, people 55-plus want to continue learning but not be a part of the standard university system.

"Often, [seniors] don't need the credits, they don't want the exams and assignments," Gerbrandt said. "We established Xplore [for them]."

The six-week Xplore program runs every Wednesday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. There are four courses to choose from and senior students can sign up for which ever one they would like. Gerbrandt says they tend to have 50 registered for Xplore and around 10 to 30 people per class.

The courses being offered this year in Winnipeg include The Church in the Global South, Re-Reading the Fourth Gospel and Pope Francis. They also offer a course called 'Young Adults Today: How They Think and Why.'

"Seniors could be intrigued and perhaps puzzled by the way young adults think," Gerbrandt explained the reason behind the course. "What makes them approach life that way? Why are young adults hesitant to commit themselves to a church."

Gerbrandt says that it's important for everyone to continue to learn.

"Often when people turn 55 . . . [they wonder] 'now what's left in life?'" Gerbrandt said. "Our goal was to keep them engaged, keep them active and alert."

Being semi-retired himself, Gerbrandt understands the need to pursue knowledge. Instead of courses, Gerbrandt gets his knowledge another way.

"I do a lot of reading," he said.

The program runs every Wednesday starting October 4, while another program in Winkler runs every Thursday, starting October 5. Details for the courses and registration information can be found on the CMU website.