Two faith-based Manitobans have been selected to be named as members of the Order of Manitoba.

The Order of Manitoba is the province's highest honour, an award established in 1999 as a way of honouring Manitobans who have "demonstrated excellence and achievement, thereby enriching the social, cultural, or economic well-being of the province and its residents."

Twelve recipients were selected to receive the award this year, representing a broad range of activities, work, interests, and accomplishments.

Arvid Loewen and Joy Smith were two of the twelve individuals named as recipients.

"It's a very huge honour," Loewen said of being named an order member. "It's also very humbling."

Loewen is well known and recognized for his continual work alongside Mully Children's Family (MCF), which has helped to rehabilitate over 12,000 children across six locations in Kenya and Tanzania.

On Monday, May 20, Loewen will begin his 15th cycling fundraiser in 15 years for the organization. To-date, he has raised over four million dollars for MCF and ridden over 400,000 kilometres.

"To me, I look at it as if I represent a lot of people," Loewen said, recognizing the efforts of his wife and his partnership with MCF and all those who have supported him over the years.

"[Ruth] is just as much a part of it, behind-the-scenes," he said.

Former MLA and MP Joy Smith is currently one of the leading anti-human trafficking activists in the country. She made history during her 11 years in parliament as the first sitting MP to amend the Criminal Code of Canada twice.

Joy Smith is also the founder and president of the Joy Smith Foundation, which "works to ensure that every Canadian man, woman and child is safe from manipulation, force, or abuse of power designed to lure and exploit them into the sex trade or forced labour," according to their website.

Janice C. Filmon, lieutenant governor and chancellor of the order, said that those selected to receive the 2019 Order of Manitoba have "demonstrated excellence and passionate commitment to making the world a better place, at the local, national, and international levels."

"As community leaders and role models, they are as inspirational as they are accomplished.”

To receive the award, individuals must be appointed to the order by the chancellor upon recommendation by an advisory council.

The investiture ceremony for recipients of the Order of Manitoba will be held Thursday, July 18. The list of all Order of Manitoba members can be viewed permanently at the Manitoba Legislative Building.