Sinew--Fall 2014

theSinew ECCAK

Fall 2014

Elim and Scammon Bay Churches Need Funds, Workers, Prayer to Complete Construction Projects for Much-Needed Parsonages Two village churches have begun the process to raise $195,000 each for a new parsonage to better care for their pastor. The rural communities of Elim and Scammon Bay both need ministry housing built in order to have resident pastors available to serve.

Given the unique challenges of securing supplies, laborers, and construction expertise in the small communities, ECCAK is supporting the effort by seeking partners from within Alaska and the lower-48 to collaborate in all phases of the project (fundraising $390,000, identifying project coordinators and scheduling construction teams).

“Housing in rural communities is extremely limited, so without adequate housing available, pastors cannot serve in residence unless a parsonage is provided,” explained Curtis Ivanoff, field director. “We are praying to have funding in May for materials to be barged up from Seattle and work teams and project leaders in place to construct the parsonages in the summer of 2015.”

Elim Covenant Church Progress toward the new parsonage began in May when Pastor Bob Curtis and community members helped take down the structure wrought with extensive water damage, holes in the floor, and other significant maintenance issues.

Community government entities have been supportive in the effort as the city of Elim has granted the church to be built on a lot in the area designated for new development . The Native Village of Elim is also donating dirt and gravel for the local project. Nathan Nagaruk, originally from Elim, has designed the floor plan. He was heavily involved in the Nome Church project in 2013.

The 1356 sq. ft. three-bedroom/two bathroom design is simple and efficient and will supply adequate space for a pastor’s needs and will be similar to other homes typical in

Top: The Elim Church parsonage was recycled in its deconstruction as community members who helped with the tear-down were given the lumber for personal use.

Middle: The proposed floor plan shows the 32 x 38 footprint with additional arctic entry space. Supplies will cost approximately $120/ sq. ft.; appliances & fixtures will cost $10,000; and gravel & dirt work—$20,000 for each site.

Below: The YK Delta village of Scammon Bay needs funding and work teams in order to provide a safe, warm home for Pastor Jason Stromstad.

the communities. Included in the design is 130 sq. ft. of artic entry space, necessary for energy efficiency and managing harsh winter conditions.

Scammon Bay Covenant Church Jason Stromstad, originally from Roseau, MN, has been serving in Scammon Bay, a village of 500 since 2010, and has been graciously living in a home that many would consider un-livable due to significant water damage and other structural problems. A team for the Pacific Northwest conference and Arctic Barnabas Ministries worked on the parsonage in 2012 to repair the roof until further assessment for the best course of action was completed. Due to perpetual issues, it has been determined that building a new structure would be the best stewardship of funds and manpower.

“Given the importance of hospitality in Native culture, having a new parsonage will not only serve the personal needs of the pastor, but will also increase and enhance actual ministry within the village,” Curtis explained.

The plans drawn for the Elim church will serve as the basic design for the Scammon Bay parsonage that will likely be built in its current location just across from the church building.

“The scope of a project like this provides a great opportunity for the larger body of Christ to partner with a village church where resources are limited,” Curtis said. “ The ECCAK staff will be praying for the needs and helping to connect the churches with resources and workers that God moves to assist in various ways.”

To make a donation to the parsonage project, you may give online at www.eccak.org.

If you or your church is interested in partnering in other ways, please contact Jenn at the ECCAK office or send an email to

info@eccak.org.

From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Fall 2014 // 1 Ephesians 4:16

Raise the Sail Anew: Intentional Generosity

by Curtis Ivanoff, Field Director

In our Native culture in western Alaska, when a child is born they are given a name, usually by an elder, often after a loved one that has recently passed on. When my daughter was born, she was given the name of my grandmother on my father’s side. So her “Eskimo name” is Awikhtaq (ah-wikhtuck), and it is often what I call her as a term of endearment.

Besides the fact that she was named after my grandmother, I have had a deep appreciation for the meaning of that name.

In essence, the meaning as I understand it, is to cut something in half to share with someone who does not have. In other words, when you recognize someone who is in need, you give. Sounds pretty biblical, doesn’t it?

In my last column I wrote about new sails and our need to ready ourselves for a new direction. A historic meeting for ECCAK will take place on March 27. The delegates at the annual meeting in Elim will vote to decide to move forward with becoming an official conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church, a direction our denominational leadership has initiated.

In my next columns I want to share a few thoughts about some sails that can be raised. I believe “Awikhtaq” illustrates one of the sails we need to raise as ECCAK ministries approach a new reality. I will use a phrase that I heard one of our churches use to describe their aim for giving: “intentional generosity.”

Give. It is demonstrated over and over again in Scripture, and taught in many ways, that giving reflects a faith that is alive and vibrant. Our denomination identifies one marker of a church that is pursuing Christ and Christ’s priorities in the world as “sacrificial and generous living and giving.”

It is clear to me that for us to grow into this coming new chapter for ECCAK, giving generously to our local church, the work of ECCAK, and the denomination is a sail we must raise anew.

The ECC will continue to support us financially, but in 1972, when ECCAK was brought into existence by moving the work in Alaska from under World Mission to Home Mission, one goal was that ECCAK would become selfsupporting in due time. We are not there yet and that is why I see giving as such an important area for us to grow into. It is not as if there is some new fangled concept or idea that we need to grab onto, and if we do, then we will take off like a Fur Rondy sprint team.

Instead, I want to point to an old flip-chart, sharpeeillustrated presentation from an ECCAK meeting several years ago. It is sitting in my office, rolled up in a tube with the end capped by an old Hills Bros coffee can. The theme of the presentation was “Growing by Giving”--urging our churches to exercise their faith and give. Those words ring true for us today and I anticipate the Spirit to lead our people and churches to respond anew: intentionally and generously.

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Missional Marker #10 Fruitful Organization Structures

by Rev. Dave Benedict

Every church has an organizational structure.

Few churches have a fruitful organizational structure.

A fruitful organizational structure is a system by Just as a tripod is a which a congregation delegates responsibilities and trail-marker guiding a decision-making authority to appropriate groups traveler’s journey, this and individuals so that decisions are made and things get column series explores done to achieve ministry objectives in ways that are missional markers to both effective and satisfying. guide us in our journey Four foundational principles guide a healthy discussion of issues relating to organizational structoward healthy, missional churches. tures. Each of these principles is counter-intuitive; each goes against what will almost certainly be the conventional wisdom in your church. Coming to grips with them now will save you time, trouble, and heart-ache in the future.

1. Changing your constitution is the last step in the process of addressing issues relating to fruitful organizational structures (if it is necessary at all). The first thing most churches do when attempting to fix a structural issue is create a “Constitutional Revision Committee”. This committee pulls the constitution from a drawer and begins identifying outdated provisions and forming new ones. Amendments are proposed and passed, with only a handful of people engaging in the debate. The constitution is then put back into the drawer, and only the people directly affected are even aware of the changes. The language of your constitution might, or might not, be preventing fruitfulness in your organizational structure. More often than not, the real issues that prevent ministry fruitfulness are cultural, not constitutional. A process in which cultural, missional, and structural issues—in concert with one another—are examined and addressed may result in amendments to your constitution. However, those changes come at the end of the process.

2. If you want to go far, go slowly. Most churches have little patience for addressing organizational issues. This is understandable, but it is unfortunate. In this realm, an expedited process is a flawed process. Churches that rush through these issues generally discover their problems have re-emerged within a year or two (maybe within months) of the “solution” they adopted. Take your time. Go slowly and you’ll go far.

3. Spend more of your time working on questions of authority (How do decisions get made?) than on designing a ministry-delivery system (How do things get done?).

How decisions actually get made (or prevented) is the heart of all issues related to fruitful organizational structures. These are the kind of questions you should begin asking: Who makes the various kinds of decisions necessary to move toward your missional goals? In what settings are the decisions made?

Are the actual decision-makers elected or “resident”? Are decisions guided by your constitution or by your traditions? What happens to a decision after it has been made? What causes a decision to be reversed? Questions like these are rooted in a congregation’s culture, rather than structure.

4. “If you haven’t changed culture, you haven’t changed anything.” —John Wenrich John also correctly asserts Peter Drucker’s sentiment:: “Culture eats strategy for lunch.” Generally, it is not difficult to achieve a “yes” vote on structural change. And then, within 3-5 years, the new system is just as stymied as the one it replaced. Why? Because governance is much more about how a congregation does life together than it is about any given structure.

Careful attention must be given to identifying, naming, and working through cultural issues even as structural issues are being addressed. Otherwise, all the time, effort, and (in some cases) pain it takes to work toward positive structural changes will likely be for naught.

Rev. Dave Benedict is pastor of Bemidji Covenant Church (MN) and formerly served the Midwest Conference as director of congregational vitality. For more resources on related topics for your church, contact ECCAK or visit www.covchruch.org/vitality.

2014 Covenant Bible Camp Highlights

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330 campers attended 5 weeks of camp from 25 different communities. All our Covenant villages and towns were represented as well as Buckland, Stebbins, Shageluk, Kipnuk, Kotzebue, Gambell, and Noorvik.

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Native Corporations, churches and Bible camp helped scholarship more than 60 campers. C3 Fairbanks sponsored the first-time campers from Shageluk. MARC gifted flying in honor of their 50th anniversary which will be seen in the form of discounted registration fees next summer.

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83 volunteers made up this year’s staff; 17 were junior staff from our own churches.

Meet Bible Camp’s Interim Director Ruth Johnson: Sharing Her Commitment to God and Others in Service Ruth Johnson, originally from Unalakleet, attended Covenant Bible Camp as a youth and served this year as interim Bible Camp Director during Nick Bruckner’s paternity leave. She resides in Soldotna where she is a second grade teacher at Cook Inlet Academy. She is married to Tyler Johnson, who she met in Unalakleet while he was the youth pastor there.

“We got to know each other and fell in love during the camp season,” she fondly recounts. They have one three-year-old son, Parker, who was born while she finished her education degree at Kenai Peninsula College.

How did you come to serve in leadership at Bible Camp?

I have been attending camp since 1998. I have always been a quieter person, so I never felt like I stood out in the eyes of camp leadership. I did spend most of my summers there as a camper, then junior counselor. When I was 19, I became the youngest program director that they had ever had. Byron Bruckner decided to take a chance on me. Since then I have been given chances to serve in other leadership roles. I was a co-Junior Staff Director for a summer, many times as a program director, even a speaker, and I am a member of the Bible Camp Board. When I was asked to serve as the interim director , I prayed, talked with Tyler, and made my pro/con list. The pros won by a long shot.

What were your responsibilities as interim-director?

I was the last stop for major decisions and had oversight for the different areas of camp (facilities, food, finances, staffing, and campers). I was involved with the email exchanges for the different areas of camp and worked closely with Peter Butkevich, office administrator for the summer. I was there to make sure that all staff and students had a pleasant time at camp and to help keep things running smoothly. There were some kinks in the road, but God is gracious and he helped us through several big issues.

What memories of Bible Camp do you have from your youth?

I remember things running smoothly and always having a lot of fun. I met some of my very good friends there and have kept in touch with those women today. I remember a sense of community that camp gave for young believers. One particular summer in high school, Nate Severson was the speaker. I was challenged to be a leader and strong woman of God. I remember how happy all the staff looked and I prayed that I would be like that instead of an adult who turns to other vices for happiness.

What were some of the joys and challenges you experienced while serving at Bible Camp?

One great joy is that I got to experience all of this with my son, and for a short while, my husband. We got to bond as a family and Parker got to see where I grew up now that he is really making memories. I also had the support of a lot of people around me. It sure is a family feel when you come on staff there at Bible Camp.

There were some hurdles each week that I faced. Some I didn't know how to handle at first, but everything worked out. I sometimes felt that Satan was out to get me, but there was always people near by to pray with me about each and every situation.

Do you have encouragement for others to serve in their home church or at Bible Camp?

I hope that we can get more people to come out and serve next summer. Camp is a place to see kids in a safe setting where they can express their joys, work through their struggles, and have fun with their peers. To be a part of that was a miracle and still continues to be. Camp is dear to my heart, because we can celebrate and create a safe place for campers from all walks of life. Come and see for yourself, it is truly a rewarding experience. Pray about it!

Fall 2014 // 3

Reunions happen all the time. Some are joyful occasions and others not so pleasant. But any reuniting of Covenant High School alumni is a special event of rebuilding relationships, reliving past experiences and rejoicing together at the blessings God continues to bestow on those who became a part of the CHS family.

2014 marks the 60th anniversary of the opening of Covenant High which drove the desire to gather the student body for a weekend of activity. The passing of Alfred White, the longtime principal, and his beloved wife Gladys, this spring, added to that decision when the family expressed their intent to bring the ashes home to Unalakleet for interment. The dates were set for July 24-27.

The rainy, bleak days of July 2014 relented and the alumni began to arrive to cool, but dry, weather that would hold through the weekend. A bonfire the first night was a chance for folks to greet one another and begin the reunion. While a little chilly, it was a beautiful evening of warmth from the fire and friendships…and a lot of s’mores.

On Friday morning the group gathered for morning devotions and afterwards Annabelle Cunningham got the choir belting out favorites from “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” to “Little Drummer Boy”. Singing is a strong part of our CHS heritage and the instruction of Mrs. White, Bill Oudal and Don Erickson showed as the worship lifted the rafters in the church.

The afternoon was partially spent at an outdoor reception honoring an alumnus, Isaiah Towarak, with the naming of the local wind turbine farm. A few short speeches, a lot of pictures and some delicious goodies filled out the program under the shadows of the huge windmills.

Covenant High To Celebrate a

by Jeff Erickson, Cov

The traditional North River picnic was skipped cold north wind drove the dinner indoors to allow the aging group of Wolverines. From the indoor for an evening of fun and old games. “If You Lo “Pass the Lifesaver” were a few of the classics th Saturday mid-morning was reserved for the me filled with those wishing to say final farewell to th and amusing stories as well as biblical wisdom en who witnessed the service could deny that Mr. an impact on all who they came into contact with du were shed but it was a true “celebration of life” th and song.

Covenant High School: Its Beginning and E

by Curtis Ivanoff, EC

Editor’s note: This article has been adapted from a paper written Londborg had communicated with the territorial government to offer in 2008 while Curtis attended North Park Seminary. The complete correspondence courses under their authority. Under the direction of paper can be found at www. eccak.org. the Covenant Missionary Council of Alaska (CMCA), Covenant High The chorus of the alma mater song of Covenant High School says: Covenant High, Covenant High\Long live her name in earth and sky\ And may her lads be always true\To God’s horizons ever new.

Founded in 1954 by Maynard D. Londborg in the village of Unalakleet, AK, the school operated for thirty-one years before closing its doors in 1985. As reflected in the short chorus, the work of Covenant High School had in view an education that was rooted in the ways of God. The school has left a legacy in Alaska that is expressed through the lives of the many alumni and graduates.

According to a report by Londborg in 1966, there were two main reasons for starting a school. First, there was need for a secondary education program for Natives in western Alaska. Secondly, there was a desire to aid in the building of an indigenous church through the training of the young people on the field. Along this line, a training program by the Covenant had been created in 1948 in an attempt to provide trained leadership for the church, which was located in Unalakleet for four years and then Marshall for two.

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School was started in the fall of 1954. The beginning was small and the facilities were meager, but the vision to educate students had become a reality for Londborg and others.

The CMCA, at its annual meeting in 1955, included four statements of purpose in its “Policies for Covenant High”. They included to provide a good secondary education for young people of Unalakleet and surrounding Covenant villages; to aid in the building of an indigenous church through the training of young people; to build a fertile and productive field from which to choose future Native pastors; and to provide a sound basis for the spiritual and social life of the adolescents of the field.

Between 1954 and 1985, according to the Annual Reports to the Commission of Education of the Territory of Alaska (later the State of Alaska), 375 students graduated from Covenant High while 1,845 students were enrolled during that time period. The school began with a class of seven freshmen, reached a peak enrollment of 105 in 1975-76, and when it closed in 1985 it had an enrollment of 61. The numbers indicate that the school had a relatively sizeable influence, but it is through the lives

With a potluck lunch that followed running into mid-afternoon the planned dinner “banquet” was cancelled as no one was in any remote way prepared to eat again so quickly. So the group reconvened at the CHS auditorium for the auction that was a last minute addition to the program to help with costs.

As happens regularly with this group, the little auction grew to be a significant event and items began to fill the front of the auditorium. Beautiful handicrafts, services and baked goods were all hot items and there was much good natured commentary from auctioneers and audience alike. venant High Alumnus However, the bidding was serious and the auction was very successful. More than $9,000 was d due to the very high water at the bridge and the raised to cover expenses and to use for some charitable project(s) that will be decided by the w comfortable eating and visiting conditions for alumni group. picnic, the party moved to the CHS gymnasium Sunday saw the end of the activities as the group met for church in the morning and then deliove Me Honey, Smile”, “Musical Chairs” and cious king crab, BBQ ribs accompanied by tables of other delicacies to complete the three days hat resulted in tears of laughter and much gaiety. of great food and fellowship. emorial service for the Whites and the church Covenant High School was in existence for 31 years but its influence is stronger than ever. he dedicated couple. Beautiful music, poignant Many of the alumni are now grandparents and great-grandparents, and the lessons learned and ngaged the audience for several hours. No one the ethics instilled, are being passed on to future generations. The Covenant High School slogan, nd Mrs. White had long-lasting influence and “Education with an Eternal Emphasis”, is certainly alive and well in the lives of those touched uring their 30 years in Unalakleet. Many tears by the school and its staff members. The dishes weren’t dried before talk of another reunion had hat transitioned to the graveyard for final words started.

Alumni Gather and Remember

Ending in the Context of Alaska Education

CCAK Field Director

of teachers that we turn to see the significance of the work.

Al White was an Industrial Arts teacher in Burbank, CA, at the time Covenant High School had opened in 1954. He and his wife Gladys were introduced to the ministry in Alaska at a Covenant Church that had just begun, meeting in the home of Reverend Robert Honnette.

Having felt that his knowledge of Industrial Arts teaching would be a good fit at the school, they answered the call to go to Unalakleet to teach. However, the major attraction to the White’s was an unrestricted opportunity to deal with students regarding spiritual issues.

Ken Anderson, a maintenance man, who along with his wife Eleanor served as part of the core staff until 1982, pointed out, “When you think about what Covenant High had, it was very minimal. There was a sense of the school getting a lot out of each dollar.”

Bill and Anna Marie Oudal, who met at Covenant High, serving together from 1961 to1977, pointed out , “Looking back, there have been terrific results over the years, and yet I don’t think we did anything outstanding. We did not have any outstanding educational philosophies, or that sort of thing; we simply did our job. We really didn’t do anything extraordinary.” Yet it was in this setting where truly outstanding things did happen, educationally and spiritually speaking.

The educational landscape in Alaska changed, however, and it would

have a direct impact on Covenant High School. In 1976, the case of Tobeluk v. Lind was settled by entry of a detailed consent decree providing for the establishment of a high school program in every one of the 126 villages covered by the litigation. Known as the “Molly Hootch Case” for the Eskimo girl whose name headed the original list of plaintiffs suing the state in 1972 for failing to provide village high schools, the era of public schools in the villages had been ushered in by this landmark decision.

Declining appropriations was another factor that contributed to the eventual completion of the work of Covenant High. Between 1980-81 and 1984-85, appropriations for Covenant High dropped from $109,000 to $50,000. Couple that with the rapidly rising expenses, which in the same time frame increased from $372,950 to $420,955, the financial burden had reached insurmountable proportions.

In December of 1984, the Evangelical Covenant Church of Alaska General Council, in a closed ballot vote, decided to close Covenant High as of June 30, 1985. This was an extremely difficult decision as the school had become so meaningful to those who attended and worked at the school.

Nancy Hjelm, a CHS teacher, put it clearly, “Nobody wanted it to (Continued on page 6)

Fall 2014 // 5

All God’s Children: Community Covenant & Elim Partnership Brings Blessing to Many

by Ellen Wood, Community Covenant VBS team member

With our noses pressed to the window of our small airplane, we Susan Casey has faithfully and passionately led our team each year eagerly watched for the Elim gravel airstrip and the friends that we as we have learned from our many mistakes as well as the happy knew would be there to greet us. It had successes. The Lord has graciously and pabeen a long flight for our small team of five tiently guided us and taught us more about between Birchwood and Elim due to weathHimself, and has grown us deeper in relationer, weight restrictions and refueling stops, ship with Him as well as each other. Every but we had finally arrived! Pastor Bob Curyear, the VBS team prays and plans for Bible tis and members of his Elim Covenant stories, games, activities, crafts, snacks, etc. and Church congregation greeted us warmly every year the Lord changes our plans in Elim with huge hugs and smiles and then loaded – sometimes drastically – and turns them into up our mountain of gear (luggage, sleeping his most excellent plans and purposes. This bags, food, VBS supplies, etc.) to drive us to year was no exception. The team was smaller the village school – our home for the next 6 than usual. Our usual sunny weather was rainy nights. There we were welcomed with more instead, which often moved us indoors translathuge hugs and smiles by the many children ing into closer, quieter, deeper relationships of Elim who had been eagerly anticipating with kids and adults alike. the annual arrival of our Vacation Bible In addition to dramatized Bible stories, lively School team from Community Covenant songs, fantastic crafts (tye-dyed t-shirts are very Church (CCC) in Eagle River, AK. popular!), we tried a Scripture Memory Club How fun it was to see the children and oh which was a big hit with the kids. We held a how they had grown! 45 minutes of happy women’s fellowship evening attended by nine chaos ensued as we got reacquainted with women (7 Elim ladies, Susan and myself) prayour young friends and heard the latest from ing, laughing, sharing, eating and reading the the precious people of Elim whom we have Word together – a wonderful evening! Every grown to dearly love over the last five years. year as adults and children alike share cross Generally, several members of our 5 – 9 culture time together, Jesus teaches all of us member team return annually, so we have more about listening to him, trusting him, and been blessed to form warm, solid, lasting sharing in his wisdom and grace. relationships between members of Elim and As the week nears its end, our team bids a CCC. What a joy to join hands and hearts reluctant good-bye to all our Elim friends. as our congregations co-partner spiritually, Leaving exhausted, but exhilarated, we see the financially, and personally in what God is Lord’s heart and hands at work transforming 2014 Elim & Community Covenant doing in Alaska!

Church—Eagle River partnership outreach the lives of all his children regardless of age or culture.

Covenant High School: Beginning and Context

Around ECCAK

(Continued from page 5)

close, but people realized its season had come and been fulfilled.”

The motto of Covenant High was “Education with an Eternal Emphasis!” That motto is reflective of the work of the Covenant in Alaska and the value that has been placed upon education by our denomination. The graduates established a legacy, some of which became church board members, Sunday school teachers, church musicians, pastors and Christian parents. Others went on to become teachers, doctors, lawyers, mechanics, corporation executives, commercial pilots, and mayors.

These people have been some of the ones to write the next chapters of life in western Alaska and in the work of the church. They share a Al & Gladys White and children Ernest, Mel common educational home and Florence. The Whites served at Covethat exhorted them to be “true nant High School from 1956-1986. to God’s horizons ever new.”

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TJ Smith, New Song Covenant Church pastor, was ordained for the Ministry of the Word and Sacrament at the 2014 annual meeting held in Chicago in June.

Vince Eben, First Covenant Church Anchorage associate pastor, received approval for his pastor’s license from the ECC in June.

Chaplain Major Darrick (Tonia) Gutting has returned to Alaska and is serving as Family Life Chaplain at Ft. Wainwright in Fairbanks.

ECCAK received a gift in honor and memory of Al and Gladys White.

Carl & Marcia Elwood completed their interim service with Mekoryuk Covenant Church and are serving with Covenant World Mission in East Asia for one year.

Rick (Lesa) Millikin has been called to serve as lead pastor for Mat-Su Covenant Church and will begin in mid-September.

Rev. Dale (Lois) Solberg has concluded his service with Alaska Christian College and will be serving as director of library services at EPIC Bible College in Sacramento, CA.

Prayer Calendar This prayer calendar focuses on Covenant Youth of Alaska (CYAK) ministry team as well as Alaska Christian College (ACC).

September

October

November

Monday

Pastor Adam (Shirleen) London youth pastor, Unalakleet  Fall interns, Kaylin and Leiscia to shine bright as they care and serve  Baby London #4 due in December  God to grow leaders within our local church

David and Lauren Rurik Jamie (Erica) Rose Arigaa/CYAK admin, Anchorage Arigaa—Anchorage  Arigaa/CYAK intern Charis Erhardt  Guidance in each of our areas of  Erica’s health concerns & pregnancy ministry  Wisdom and joy in the early days of  Caring for new students from the our marriage as we settle into life bush thru Arigaa ministry outreach and ministry together  Please pray Isaiah 30:21 over us

Tuesday

Drew ( Holly) Williams Youth pastor & Regional ministry Scammon Bay/YK Delta  Transition into a new ministry/home  Rigors of teaching (Holly) in school  Involvement with youth/community

Nick (Nikki) Bruckner Byron (Sue) Bruckner Bible Camp/young adult ministry CYAK Director, Anchorage Unalakleet  Transition through move to Anc.  Momentum for young adult ministry  God to raise up a Norton Sound  Bible camps for summer 2015 regional coach  Wisdom in parenting and ministry  Guidance & protection for family

Wednesday

CYAK Board of Directors Alaska Christian College Board Bible Camp Board are passionate about seeing Christ made up of individuals representing consists of several individuals who transform youth and desire to provide expertise in education, ministry, comthemselves were ministered to as support and leadership to those serving merce and civil service seek wisdom campers and young adults at the camp youth in the state. Pray for them as and unity as they meet this month. located in Unalakleet. They covet they meet this month. prayers for campers and for vision.

Thursday

ACC Student Services Staff Jeff (Cheryl) Siemers Soldotna ACC Vice President, Soldotna Resident supervisors, tutors, instruc-  Endurance for added responsibility tors, administrators need discernment while president on sabbatical and encouragement as they care for  Joy in serving & caring for students students in a transitional life season.  Preparation for spring sabbatical

Volunteer Youth Workers There are many committed adults that share their love and lives with youth on top of their other work and family commitments. We lift them up for strength and protection.

Friday

Sunday School Teachers New Hope Counseling Center Scott & Krista Pitsch The important men and women who Soldotna ACC Faculty/Admissions serve each week as teachers for chil- NHCC provides counseling and supdren and youth are remembered today. port for ACC students. Students find  Balance for family & ministry call Pray that God would call more indige- healing and hope through the care of  Children’s health & well-being  Enthusiasm for teaching & caring nous adults to partake in this ministry. staff and support groups.

Prayer Cards for ECCAK pastors and ministry staff are available online at www.eccak.org/prayer-cards.

Important Dates ECCAK Day of Prayer and Fasting for Life

September 10

Covenant Women’s Fall Retreat, Willow

September 19-21

CYAK Young Adult Retreat, Big Lake

September 26-28

ECCAK Pastor Leader Retreat, Big Lake

September 30-October 3

ECCAK General Council Meeting, Anchorage

October 10-11

WAMT/Covenant Orientation Course, Anchorage November 10-14

Fall 2014 // 7

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID ANCHORAGE, AK PERMIT NO. 537 Jane Atuk

Harvey Fiskeaux

Lanette Forbes

Anchorage

Nome

Betty Jackson

Sandra King

Bethel

Shaktoolik

Mekoryuk

The Evangelical Covenant Church of Alaska P.O. Box 770749 Eagle River, AK 99577

Phone: 907-694-6348 Fax: 907- 694-6378 E-mail: info@eccak.org website: www.eccak.org

Elected General Curt Lindner

Adam London

Eagle River

Unalakleet

Council

Joshua Mathlaw Mountain Village

Ed Shirk Fairbanks

ECCAK is a non-conference “field” of the Covenant Church of America, dependent on the gifts from churches and people to carry out our mission for Christ’s sake in Alaska.

Merge Teams Serve and Learn in AK

Ministry Priorities

Pastoral Care Youth Ministry Leadership Pathways Congregational Vitality Church Planting & Evangelism

Field Director: Curtis Ivanoff curtis@eccak.org Assoc. Field Director: James Barefoot james@eccak.org

This summer, four Merge Ministries Teams worshipped, played, and worked with local churches and learned much about Alaskan culture. The teams prepared and served more than 1,000 meals for the “Kids Kitchen” program.

Community Covenant Church of Hopkinton, MA, traveled to Fairbanks to help C3 run a family camp and participated in community projects. First Covenant Church of Omaha, NE, completed several projects around First Covenant in Anchorage, including painting seven rooms. North Coast Church of Carlsbad, CA, held a Fourth of July carnival in Anchorage that kicked off a weekend of Kids Bible Camp. Between 20-40 neighborhood kids attended.

A small group helped at the home of some elders. The Presbyterian Church of Novato, CA, hosted a VBS at the Fairview Rec Center for five mornings and then continued to serve in the “Kids Kitchen” in the evenings.

Office Manager: Jenn Steinbrecher info@eccak.org Sinew Editor: Kristi Ivanoff kristi@eccak.org