Spring 2019 Sinew

Spring 2019

Wilson and Minnie Gonongnan Offering Established The Alaska Conference Executive Board established the Wilson and Minnie Gonongnan Offering in commemoration of the first Native Covenant missionary couple that planted the Mountain Village church in 1919. The 100-year anniversary celebration of the church will happen in September.

Superintendent Curtis Ivanoff felt that gathering for the annual meeting in Mountain Village provided an opportune time to remember, celebrate and take an offering in the spirit of the early delegation that sent, gave and supported that first church plant.

The Gonongnans worked to successfully gather a church of people and eventually built a building with a parsonage. Reflecting on his forty years of faithful ministry Wilson witnessed, “The Holy Spirit has kept me.”

The Gonongnans labored in the Yukon field in a very faithful manner.

Many of the people of Mountain Village and neighboring villages heard the story of salvation from Wilson and Minnie.

“We have records that after the Gonongnans accepted the call at the Elim gathering of the Covenant churches, Unalakleet took the first offering,” Curtis explained. “$80 worth of fish was given, and Sewing Circle gave $280 from their earnings.”

During the Friday evening service at the April annual meeting conference, Curtis called forward ushers from Elim, Unalakleet and Mountain Village to represent the communities that hold significant parts of the story. Herb

Ivanoff, Kenny Takak, and Beverly Alexie gathered the offering that totaled $4,656.47. On Easter Sunday, the Unalakleet Covenant Church also took an offering designated for the same effort, and an additional $841 was given. The offering will be seed money for a new designated fund called the Village Pastor Fund.

This fund will be used for expenses related to recruitment, including travel costs and orientation for pastoral candidates; and supplemental funding for village churches related to pension, health insurance, and salary for pastors.

Above: Herb Ivanoff, of Unalakleet; Kenny Takak, of Elim, and Beverly Alexie, “I am delighted that we have named of Mountain Village, prepare to receive the first Wilson and Minnie Gonongnan Offering at the April Annual Meeting Conference in Mountain Village. The an annual offering after Wilson and offering commemorates the couple, pictured below, who answered the call to Minnie Gonongnan, for it can help us plant the Mountain Village Church in 1919. to remember not only their faith, but the shared faith of our churches at that time that came together to give for the sake of sending,” Curtis said.

A regular month for the annual, conference-wide offering has yet to be established, but will be decided on by a team of people selected to work out timing and logistical details of the offering.

“We recognize the great benefits, and also the challenges that come with being called to serve in a village. One of the hurdles is financial,” Curtis expressed. “This is one way we can come alongside our rural churches Page 3 who often have fewer monetary Daniel Savetilik, Sr. Award resources available. My desire is to Ivanoff Confirmed for Third Term help scale the barrier that limited Executive Board Member Election Results finances can present in recruiting pastors to serve in our villages.”

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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.

Ephesians 4:16

The annual meeting in Mountain Village was a rich time of fellowship, of hearing God’s Word proclaimed, of joyful singing, and eating good food together. It was a time of reflection as we remembered the story of how the work of the Covenant Church began in Mountain Village.

The memory of Wilson and Minnie Gonongnan was honored as we recounted the story. They are among my list of heroes of faith, having answered the call from Unalakleet to move to Mountain Village in 1919, one hundred years ago. One story I heard was that when they moved, they lived in a tent initially. It was not any REI tent either. There were times when people would throw sticks at their tent to dissuade them. Wilson’s response to Minnie was, “God knew we needed firewood.” A tent and sticks did not stop them from remaining and carrying out pastoral work for decades. This is just one of many inspiring stories of faith. It is a joy to consider the story God has been writing here in Alaska in and through our Covenant churches. Also at this annual meeting, it was

by Curtis Ivanoff, Superintendent decided that I would serve another term, and I want to share something God has impressed on my heart in this process. In the book of 1 Peter, it says, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

I believe that the Lord has laid this passage on my heart as I look forward to serving another term.

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. That is the phrase that I have been meditating on, and it has been seeping into my bones. This speaks of identity and to whom we belong. Coupling this passage with the story of Wilson and Minnie has caused me to think on how our Covenant Church family picture has been developing recently. Our history and beginnings are in rural Alaska among Inupiaq, Yup’ik and Cup’ig peoples. There is a photograph from the 1947 annual meeting in Unalakleet that has some of our very own Native pastors alongside men and women of Swedish heritage. They stand smiling—brothers and sisters of different ethnic backgrounds, cultures and experiences. This captures one rich season of our family tree.

More recently, I see a new image emerging that is an expansion of the diversity represented in the picture. Chugach Covenant Church (C3) and Mountain View Hope Covenant Church are our most recent church plants that are situated in neighborhoods in Anchorage that have people from all around the world.

Chugach Covenant is an official partner with Muldoon Elementary, and they are serving children from literally all over the world. Our executive board met at their new ministry center and had lunch prepared by a Native Hawaiian woman from their church.

I mention these things because WE are God’s people. Every nation, tribe and tongue will gather around the throne of the Lamb, and right here today, we can begin to look and live even more like heaven. God’s people love one another. They demonstrate sacrificial generosity and exercise faith to do what God wants us to do. May we seek to open wide our arms to new family members in our midst who have yet to receive the mercy and belonging extended by our gracious Father. I look forward to seeing who will be included in the family picture of our church in 2047.

Our Family Picture

2 // the Sinew

Interim Pastor Shares Joy Serving Mekoryuk Church

by Pastor Heather Smith

My call to Mekoryuk came at the perfect time. I had many thoughts and plans as I arrived, and the presence of Jesus was everywhere I looked.

As I came to the pulpit to share my first sermon, I was able to prepare the congregation for much teaching on healing and prayer to come in the months to follow. This was a very critical period of my life for my healing, following my son's passing eleven months prior. I was able to share my needs and situation and it became a win-win relationship. They were hungry and attentive to learn what I had to share, and I was a thankful recipient of their prayers for me.

I found that there was much already in place for ministry. There was a women's Bible study meeting on Tuesday mornings and an intercessory prayer meeting scheduled for Tuesday nights. The youth group was gathering on Fridays with Singspiration and testimonies at the church on Friday nights. Sunday School for all ages was being held on Sunday mornings and worship services were held both on Sunday morning and evening. Wow! With all this activity, my prayer was: “Lord, what else do you want to happen here in this little village?”

I sensed God leading me to add a Wednesday evening women's Bible study about healing of abuse and trauma and a Thursday evening Men’s Bible Study on physical healing. I also prepared two sermons every Sunday. I was aware that the Holy Spirit was prompting me to press in and offer individual prayer ministry when requested. This was a very full schedule, and I was very aware of the prayers of the saints, both in the village and from my home church going up to the Father for clarity, energy and wisdom. God was faithful.

I was amazed with my first encounter of Sunday School. There were separate classes for preschool kids, grades 1-3, 4-6, junior high, high school and adults.

Each class met separately and had their own teacher and class material for the week’s lessons. After an hour of class, everyone came together in the sanctuary to share their own memory verse, lesson focus, and recognize any birthdays or anniversaries. This was all before the eleven o’clock church service.

The congregation was hungry for the word of God and the teaching that I was able to offer about prayer and especially about God's healing. We were able to schedule individual prayer appointments for anyone who was interested, and I was blessed with the mornings to meditate and be with Jesus.

I believe that many folks will have changed lives because of what God was doing in their lives, and in my life as well. We witnessed two people coming to Christ for the first time, and many others expressed their desire to recommit their lives to Jesus after being away for several years.

The weather was snowing, raining, blowing and sometimes pretty messy. There were hunters everywhere from outside the state getting their animals with access through the lottery, as well as locals getting their supply for their survival. But what impressed me was the very real understanding that there is a spiritual harvest happening, and I had the privilege of being a part of that.

Heather Smith and some of the Mekoryuk Covenant Church congregation

Scammon Bay Couple Vote Confirms Third Term Receives Savetilik Award The Executive Board awarded spring YK Delta women’s John and Carolyn Uttereyuk, of conference.

Scammon Bay Covenant Church The Uttereyuk’s were unable to the Daniel Savetilik, Sr. Award attend the annual meeting, so the for many years of volunteer award was accepted on their behalf service.

by Pastor Jason Stromstad. He The intent of this award is to shared, “John and Carolyn have annually recognize done a lot of behindlocal Covenant lay the-scenes serving for persons who have many years that often made significant goes unnoticed by contribution to people. They serve ministry in Alaska quietly, not expecting over many years of recognition. So I faithful service. The celebrate this award award is named as an encouragement after Daniel to them.”

Savetilik, Sr., who “We humbly accept himself was a the Daniel Savetilik faithful leader and Award,” Carolyn servant for many expressed. “We agree John and Carolyn Uttereyuk, years in the that every member of 2019 Daniel Savetilik, Sr. Shaktoolik the body of Christ Award Recipients Covenant Church. has a gift, and this is John and Carolyn have been something we have seen in others. active members of the church for We do what we can to serve—not many years. John previously served on our own but as we are moved to as lay pastor before Pastor Jason share in word or deed to those we came to pastor in Scammon Bay. are in contact with. Quayana Carolyn has been active in many Cakneq to the Alaska Conference ways locally and encouraging of ECC.” women regionally, founding the

Annual meeting delegates voted to The Western Alaska Ministry elect Curtis Ivanoff to serve a Training initiative is being evaluated third term as Superintendent of the and restructured to be most effective Alaska Conference. Curtis has served in equipping and training people, in the leadership role since 2011. many who are very actively involved Initially called as “Field Director,” his in their church leadership already. title became “Superintendent” in Additionally, Curtis meets with a 2015 when ECCAK was restructured group of other conference leaders to and identified as a conference of the regularly seek ways to identify and Evangelical Covenant Church rather equip young leaders toward ministry than a regional mission field. The new service. four-year term will Curtis is also prioritizing commence in August. initiatives to deepen Curtis shared at the support pathways for local annual meeting that the churches seeking pastors. very center of the At the annual meeting he conference’s work is the proposed the initiation of local church, and his the Village Pastor Fund to focus needs to be to provide funding specifically helping to strengthen related to recruiting and support our pastors and supporting village and congregations. pastors financially.

Curtis Ivanoff "It is with joy and Love Mercy Do Justice Superintendent humility that I receive initiatives that are on this affirmation. This is a position of Curtis’s radar include more serving others, and I take to heart development of the Advocacy for Christ's example,” Curtis said. “ I love Victims of Abuse ministry in our our people, our state, and I am deeply churches. He desires to resource grateful to share the common mission churches for compassionate and of the good news of Jesus with this effective ministry to LGTB+ family called the Alaska Conference." individuals. Reconciliation and racial Curtis expressed his commitment to righteousness initiatives, resourcing leadership development including developing a Journey to opportunities for youth and young Mosaic learning experience, are adults within our churches. possible projects on the horizon.

Executive Board Members Elected to Serve Three–Year Terms The Executive Board of the Alaska Conference is made of up nine elected seats. Each person is elected for three-year terms and is able to serve two consecutive terms, if re-elected. The Executive Board is the agent of the Annual Meeting in making decisions for, and otherwise acting on behalf of, the Conference when the Annual Meeting is not in session. The Executive Board is responsible to the Annual Meeting for its decisions and actions. One third of the executive board must be clergy.

Christina Perrigo Nome Covenant Church Elected to first term Norton Sound

Chris lives and serves in Nome. She has ministered in many capacities over the years in Nome, Elim, and at Bible Camp. She loves young people and has worked as the Nome Schools secretary for 18 years. She has three grown children and is a dedicated grandmother. She is known for her hospitality and nononsense approach to life, love, and serving God. She encourages women in mentoring relationships and Bible studies. She is married to Lloyd.

Marc has lived and served in Mountain Village as the senior pastor for three years.

He has been a Covenant pastor since 1989 and has served in ministry since 1979.

Before moving to Alaska, he served churches in Iowa and Illinois. He was also a volunteer fire fighter and Marc EMT. Marc has 20 years Murchison Mountain Village experience with an international campus Covenant ministry and was formerly Church part of the Covenant Church start in Kenya. He Elected to loves to cook and enjoys first term cross-cultural experiences.

He is married to Elise.

YK Delta

Sara Battiest Kenai, AK

Elected to second term

Sara, originally from Bethel, lives and ministers with her husband Jason on the Kenai Peninsula.

Previously, she was on the leadership team of the River Covenant Church.

When residing in Fairbanks, Sara was active in Community Covenant Church and served on the pastoral search committee.

Additionally she was active with CYAK’s ministry to college students. Sara and her husband Jason have three children.

Road System

Spring 2019/ 3

Annual Meeting Conference “Rooted and Established in Love”

Mountain Village Covenant Church April 10-13, 2019

Remember to do good and share with others, with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Hebrews 13:16

by Pastor Rick Millikin and David Rose Mat-Su Covenant Church

The frequent aftershocks have finally slowed enough that some of us are able to move on beyond the recent memory of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that shook our homes, schools, businesses, and churches. Mat-Su Covenant was blessed to receive only minor damage, consisting primarily of broken ceiling tiles and grid, and several cracks in the sheetrock.

Before the quake, our church had been working hard to prepare the main building to be a rest center for our neighbors. We wanted to be ready for a potential longterm power outage that would require people to seek warm shelter until services were restored. In that process, we found answers on how we could serve first responders and volunteers that might need an emergency gathering place to organize their response in a time of crisis.

Our team, led by David Miller, Dave Rose, and Mark and Diana Betzold, have worked intently on meeting with F.E.M.A., the Red Cross, and the Mat-Su Borough, in efforts to gather emergency supplies and learn of the building improvements and updates we should make to serve our neighborhood better. Some of the team members have also attended special training to be certified in various areas of emergency response.

The earthquake brought immediate awareness to the potential issue our neighbors would have faced, had our area suffered more severe damage. Power and clean water became the most apparent needs. Thankfully, our church has received a small grant to help us secure a back-up generator. We intend to install it, so that one of our church buildings will have heat, lights, and well pumps if we need to provide shelter for others in our community. We also have an emergency water supply on hand that would provide for several families for up to a week.

God is faithful. He is guiding us through completion of our education center, which has been doubling as a place of rest for families that are in transition and seeking housing. We continue to listen to direction from area experts and victims of our most recent disaster, inquiring what help might be most beneficial for when future crises arise.

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Less than a week after the original e office was able to open at Communit along with several other businesses

Forward in Mission

by Pastor Todd Michero, Eagle River Community Covenant Church

Shortly after the November 30th earthquake, I was startled, maybe even a bit rattled, by a rumbling I could hear from my office. However, this time it was not an aftershock, but by an unexpected cacophony of basketballs bouncing in the gym below me. I looked and was delighted to discover that it was the displaced Eagle River High School boys’ basketball team conducting their daily practice. The sound of their practice prompted reassurance, “We are bouncing back, and things are getting back to normal.” However, with some reflection, I concluded that we weren’t bouncing back at all, we had been jolted forward in mission!

In the earthquake’s aftermath we responded to our community by living out the words that we recite together every Sunday morning – “Our mission is to bring Christ’s hope, healing, and wholeness to our community and to our world.”

We opened our hearts and the doors of our church to bring assistance and Christ’s presence to people, organizations, and businesses throughout our community. In addition to the basketball team, Community Covenant also temporarily housed a medical practice, a local non-profit organization, a speech pathologist, a counseling practice, and has extended offers of help to others who have been displaced. Additionally, FEMA located their Disaster Assistance Center at Community Covenant.

We also partnered with the ECC’s office of Love Mercy, Do Justice

earthquake, a doctor’s ty Covenant Church, and organizations.

(LMDJ) which directs the Covenant’s domestic disaster relief, to host a community wide workshop, After the Shock – Making Sense of the Big Shake Up. This seminar was designed to help attendees understand and begin healing from post disaster trauma. LMDJ will be helping to send up skilled volunteers from the lower 48 to do construction repairs on damaged homes. They are also spearheading our denomination’s efforts to raise money to help purchase building materials for those repairs.

Perhaps most amazing, but not surprising, church members faced with picking up the pieces in their own homes are selflessly volunteering for clean-up efforts in the surrounding community and at our church, which sustained damage in excess of $50,000. Together we are making a difference in the name of the one who is the difference maker— Jesus Christ.

As we are settling back into the “normal” activities of our daily lives, we are grateful that through this disaster we’ve once again been reminded that Christ has saved us for himself and for a purpose greater than ourselves. We are messengers of his hope, healing, and wholeness, to a shaken world. Let each of our hearts be awakened to the opportunities all around us to share the joy that can only be found in our God who loves us so much. It is in his incarnation that he became like us in order to save us. We stand on his unshakable promises.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will

never be shaken Psalm 62:2

Leadership of Community Covenant Church, First Covenant Church and Chugach Covenant Church met with Curtis Ivanoff, ECC Love Mercy Do Justice and Covenant World Relief leadership for training related to developing a pathway for future disaster ministry preparedness.

The earthquake knocked over shelves in the office of Todd Michero, pastor of Community Covenant Church in Eagle River.

New Snow Machine Opens Trails for Effective Ministry

Top to bottom: In Unalakleet—Margo, Katie, Mary Beth and Tim Daniels host James .

James arrives to the Golovin church.

James shares coffee in the home of Craig and Mary Willoya in Golovin. Kenny Takak and Chip Swanson traveled with James from Elim. Jack Brown of Golovin joined in on the fellowship.

Koyuk Covenant Church congregation sings a closing song..

In Shaktoolik, the Gandees gratefully receive their new basket sled made and delivered by James.

James Barefoot, Associate Superintendent, looks forward to summer days so he can ride his motorcycle to work at the Alaska Conference office in Anchorage, approximately 50 miles from his Wasilla home. However, James may have a new favorite ride to work—on the conference’s new Polaris Switchback. The brand new snow machine was purchased in December with funds that came from a private donor and a Minnesota non-profit organization called Missions in Motion. Their goal is to provide funds “mobilizing messengers with transportation to share the Good News of Jesus throughout the world.”

As 12 of the conference’s 19 churches are in located in villages not accessible by road, the expense to travel by airplane to care for pastors, lay ministers and churches is extremely expensive. However, visiting by snow machine equates to creative financial stewardship and creates more opportunities for effective face-to-face ministry with people in isolated places.

In February, James needed to transport the machine to Unalakleet, which sits on the Norton Sound, strategically positioned between the two ministry regions: Norton Sound churches to the north and the YK Delta region to the south. Rather than paying high shipping costs, he ventured to transport the machine to Nenana on a trailer, then drove the rig 354 miles to the west to Unalakleet.

Two other friends joined the expedition and accompanied him on their own machines during the 5-day trip.

James also used the trip to deliver a recently completed basket sled (that he constructed), to Shaktoolik Covenant Church for use by the new pastor and her family.

“Air freight would have cost the conference between $1600 and $1900 to land in Unalakleet,” James explained.

“Driving it directly cost about $300 in gasoline.”

Additionally, James and his three travel companions stopped along the way in Cochran Hills, Ruby and Galena to rest, see friends and encourage believers ministering in non-Covenant villages. They were slowed down by one day due to deep snow and needing to stay out of the way of the Iron Dog snow machine racers that would be gaining on their position as they raced to Nome via the Iditarod trail.

“Slowing the pace allowed us more time to visit and fellowship with Pastor John Tram in Ruby,” James shared.

“Ministers are always in need of encouragement, but when you live in a remote place, it can feel especially lonely at times. Roger Huntington from Galena decided to go with us to Ruby. Having four Christian brothers visit and spend time listening and encouraging you is a rare gift.”

On February 22, James arrived in Unalakleet and began his “official” conference work there. He stayed with Brad and Kami Webster, who serve as camp stewards for the Covenant Bible Camp and also spent time listening to and praying with Unalakleet’s new pastor, Nick Bruckner.

“I so appreciate the work of Brad and Kami as they do hospitality and facility management at Bible Camp,” James shared. “I was additionally encouraged to hear from Nick about the increase in young adult attendance and how there are people who have started attending church again after many years of absence.”

On February 23, James made the two hour ride north to (Continued on page 9)

8 // the Sinew

Shaktoolik Pastor Shares Story of Calling

by Pastor Mary Gandee, Shaktoolik Covenant Church

If you asked me five years ago where I would most like to travel, Alaska would not have been on my list. It was actually on my ¨I never¨ list. Alaska sounded too dark and cold and full of wildlife that would like to eat me. I enjoy hot climates, swimming pools and running, so naturally, Alaska didn´t top the list.

In the summer of 2017, I was part of a ministry team that traveled to Shaktoolik, Alaska. While I was thinking this trip was to learn about leading other teams to perhaps warmer places, the Lord had other plans— Alaskan style plans. I was captivated on that trip as God began to stir something in me that I was not expecting. He opened my heart to the lovely people of Shaktoolik while at the same time breaking it for this village, as well as others in Alaska, that did not have pastors.

That next fall my husband, Eric, and I felt God nudging us to visit in the winter. We spent wonderful days deepening relationships in the village. We quickly learned that while the weather conditions are cold and dark, connection and relationships are the light that drive out the dark and warm the cold. We asked God if it was the time to pursue a move to Alaska, and he answered, “Wait.”

Honestly, I thought God´s wait was for sometime when our daughters, Payton (14) and Marley (12) were graduated from high school.

Still I could not move past this deep desire for villages in Alaska to have pastors. In March of 2018, just after our winter trip to Shaktoolik, I lead a ministry team to Managua, Nicaragua.

While I loved the people, language, food, heat and ministry we experienced in Nicaragua, I

clearly remember the day I sat in the middle of the Managua barrio with our team crying about Alaska.

Last summer, our family happily returned to Shaktoolik with the ministry team from Columbia Grove Covenant Church of Wenatchee, WA. I was up early one morning,

Shaktoolik Church board members Nora Paniptchuk, Betty Jackson, Simon Bekoalok, and Joshua Mathlaw join Associate Superintendent James Barefoot as they pray just after the congregation voted to call Mary Gandee as their pastor.

course of that trip, returning home, talking with our girls, talking with our church, and the conference in Alaska, the Lord gave us confirmation after confirmation that this was the time and Alaska was the place.

We were invited to spend the month of February candidating at the Shaktoolik Covenant Church. We were excited to spend time in the winter and during the school year so we could get a good idea of what life would be like when it's very cold and what school would be like for the girls. Our whole family felt immediately welcome in the village. Both girls began playing basketball, making friends and enjoying their new school. Eric was invited to go for firewood one afternoon on snow machine, an adventure he didn't hesitate to go on. Over the month, the Lord blessed us with immense peace about living in Shaktoolik.

Our second weekend was also the ShaktoolikKoyuk Get Together. While I was honored to be one of the speakers, I was also a little nervous to speak several times in one weekend.

The Lord guided me through, providing the words and energy we needed. We were blessed to hear many testimonies and hymns that taught us about the faith that has been handed from one generation to the next. By the end of our month in Shaktoolik, the peace God gave us moved into an assured answer that if the church called us, we would gladly stay. We are so blessed they decided to extend that pastoral call and look forward to what God has in store for us with the community in Shaktoolik.

studying at the kitchen table, trying not to wake the seven teenagers sleeping like pretzels on the living room floor of the parsonage. I sensed God asking me to take a walk on the beach and there he asked me if I would go anywhere for Him. ¨Yes, Lord.¨ (even the cold!) Maybe it was Mary will begin officially serving as pastor time. Eric and I began to pray and over the of Shaktoolik Covenant Church in June.

Encouragement Arrives in Norton Sound Villages Via Snow Machine (continued from page 8)

Shaktoolik where he helped prepare the church board for the process for voting on their pastoral candidate, Mary Gandee, who would be preaching the following morning.

“I find it important to help the church boards follow the guidelines that exist in their constitution and by-laws that deal specifically with how to call a pastor,” James said. “I coached their chairperson in details related to the congregational meeting, gave a bit of a pep talk about the importance of tithing to keep up with financial commitments, and reminded the group about caring well for their overall needs.”

On Sunday, it was a joy for the congregation to vote affirmatively to call Mary and for the Grandee family to accept. James also met with the Shaktoolik youth pastor, Levi Cross, and his wife Jen. He was excited to hear about plans for collaboration on an upcoming spring youth event with Unalakleet’s youth pastor Charis Erhardt. From there, James traveled another three hours northeast to the village of Koyuk

and spent time fellowshipping with Grace Morris and Bucky and Bim Prentice who serve in lay leadership. Over the next three days, James traveled to Elim, Golovin and White Mountain to encourage the churches there. From White Mountain it would be an all-day drive back to Unalakleet where he would store the snow machine and head back home for a few weeks to rest up for another trip south to YK Delta Villages in mid-march.

Unfortunately, by the time James returned, unfrozen and unsafe trail conditions prevented James from visiting the YK Delta churches.

However, since he was already in Unalakleet, he decided to make another route north and visit Norton Sound churches again, encouraging both lay leadership and pastors along the way.

The ECC Covenant Newswire published a story written by Stan Friedman covering James 1500-mile trip from Anchorage to Norton Sound. To read that article, visit https://covenantcompanion.com.

Spring 2019/ 9

AWANA Ministry Going Strong With the Help of God and Volunteers

by Alyssa Perry, AWANA Commander, Bethel Evangelical Covenant Church

AWANA is a world-wide, non-profit ministry focused on providing Bible-based evangelism and discipleship for ages 2-18. AWANA stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed (2 Timothy 2:15 ). Bethel Evangelical Covenant Church has participated for 13 years, along with churches in 120 countries. About 100 different denominations use this curriculum to reach 4 million kids weekly.

Last summer, as fall approached, we were unsure if we could continue the ministry due to limited help. The six returning workers were tired.

Many of us thought that it was time to take a year's break. In the two weeks before the next meeting, it was agreed upon that everyone would prayerfully seek God's wisdom for the next step. When we met, it was plainly revealed to all of the workers that the AWANA program needed to be continued. However, we knew that more workers were desperately needed.

We initially determined we needed 24 more volunteers for the ministry to be effectively staffed, but that seemed unreachable. We adjusted our goal and settled on seeking out 12 more. In our own humanness, we thought that we could find 12 more leaders. Over the next 3 weeks, God abundantly provided the workers—but not just 12, and beyond the 24.

Rather, 31 adults and three teens were cleared for service in the AWANA program.

God had showed us that he will provide for our needs and proved that he is in control of our children's ministry. Over the months, several workers have needed to step down for various reasons, but most nights

we have the 24 leaders. Our roster has 75 kids registered. Any given Tuesday night, there are about 50 kids being discipled, learning verses, and playing games. Through this experience we have learned two important lessons.

First, God is concerned about our kids and us. He wants the discipleship of children to continue and he did a miracle by providing more than enough help when we were questioning our strength to continue. His burden is light.

Secondly, we need to stay connected. Over the years, our club has become disconnected from the rest of the AWANA clubs throughout Alaska. We had good justifications in our heads, but in the end, we felt like we were Elijah when he told God that there were no other prophets left. He was discouraged and so were we. As the AWANA Commander, I encouraged three of the leaders to attend the Children Ministry Conference in Anchorage last September. Our program had not sent a representative to this conference in over 10 years. Yet, they still had our banner displayed as a club in the state.

The conference was a time of encouragement and learning how to better use the AWANA materials. We came back refreshed and full of new ideas to help encourage other leaders and students. The Alaska AWANA missionaries even traveled to Bethel to help train all of our new leaders.

Many churches may not have the resources to do an AWANA program, but whatever you do, keep seeking God's will for the ministries God is calling you to, and be willing to follow thru with his answer.

Finally, stay connected— we need each other.

More than 25 weekly volunteers give time and energy to lead the AWANAs ministry at Bethel Evangelical Covenant Church. Leaders pictured: center—John Trimble; first row—Becky Trimble, Amanda Charles, Nicole Smith and youth volunteers Landon, Heidi, and Adeline; bottom row—Shirleen London, John Hamilton, and youth volunteer Eliana.

10 // the Sinew

Executive Board Remember the women and men who serve on the Executive Board. Pray for wisdom and discernment as they seek to lead the conference through oversight and visioning.

• • • • • • • •

Churches seeking pastors Golovin Covenant Church Elim Covenant Church White Mountain Covenant Church Mekoryuk Covenant Church Community Covenant, Fairbanks First Covenant Church, Anchorage Nome Covenant Church Koyuk Covenant Church

Western Alaska Ministry Training The initiative to identify and train pastoral leadership from with our villages is being evaluated and restructured to better serve the local church and increase opportunity for biblical ministry training. Pray for God to raise up pastors from our churches.

PRAYER MATTERS Take Hold, Lift Strong, Raise High

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thes. 5:17 A bi-weekly listing of individual churches can be found on the website.

Email prayer requests for Prayer Matters to kristi@alaskacovenant.org.

Covenant Bible Camp • CYAK staff team coordination in leading and administering camp • God’s love to be modeled and shared in powerful ways with kids • God to call and provide for camp volunteers from Conference churches and beyond • Safety of campers and staff traveling for camp season • Both young women and men would accept God’s invitation to walk with him and follow him in a life of service to God and his kingdom

Superintendent Curtis Ivanoff & family • Direction for staff configuration for fruitful ministry in third term • Continued rehabilitation for Kristi’s back; Curtis’s sister and mother-inlaw recovering from breast cancer • Charis, Nathan and Joshua to know God’s love for them and hear his call as they walk in this season of life; wisdom for their parents

Tr a n s i t i o n s Sarah Bender has been called to Chugach Covenant Church to serve as the Next Generations Ministry Pastor.

Chad (Dana) Benkert is serving Nome Covenant Church as interim pastor.

Don (Brenda) Ernst has completed service as interim pastor for Community Covenant Church, Fairbanks.

Pastor Harvey (Nancy) Fiskeaux, concluded 24 years of service at Nome Covenant Church in April. They will reside in the lower-48 to be nearer to family.

Mark and Angela Lantz are now serving as CYAK program directors.

Ruth (Ross) McElwee, has been called as Director of Women’s Ministry for Bethel Evangelical Covenant Church.

Lauren (David) Rurik, concluded in April as CYAK Director of Communications. Hannah Palmer is the new director.

Heather Smith completed service as interim pastor of Mekoryuk Covenant Church at the end of February.

Chip (Joanne) Swanson completed service as interim pastor of Elim Covenant Church in April.

Mary (Eric) Gandee, will begin serving as pastor of Shaktoolik Covenant Church in June.

Mel Trollman has been called to Mat-Su Covenant Church to serve as the Director of Youth Ministry.

Curtis (Kristi) Ivanoff will begin his third term of service as superintendent in August.

Andrea (Adam) Wilson began serving in February as the conference office administrator.

Conference-wide Upcoming Events & Dates May 24-28 May 28-June 2 June 3-9 June 10-16 June 17-22 June 23-28 June 27-29 July 18-21 Sept. 20-22 Sept. 27-29 Oct. 8-10 Oct. 12

Covenant Bible Camp (CBC): Call to Worship, Unalakleet, AK CBC: Leadership Camp, Unalakleet, AK CBC: High School Camp (9-12 grade), Unalakleet, AK CBC: Jr. High Camp (7-8 grade), Unalakleet, AK CBC: Pathfinders Camp (3-4 grade), Unalakleet, AK CBC: Trailblazers Camp (5-6 grade), Unalakleet, AK ECC Annual Meeting, Omaha, NE "I AM" Women's Triennial Conference, Minneapolis, MN Covenant Women’s state-wide retreat, North Star Bible Camp, Willow, AK CYAK Young Adult Retreat, Camp Maranatha, Big lake, AK Pastor & Leader Retreat, Camp Maranatha, Big lake, AK Alaska Christian College Vision 2020 Dinner, ChangePoint Church, Anchorage, AK Spring 2019/ 11

Alaska’s Expanding Mosaic Called the Covenant

by Pastor Ben Schoffmann, Chugach Covenant Church (C3)

The Covenant Church in Alaska has a wonderful history and legacy, where the Native peoples of Alaska, missionaries and others who have made Alaska their home have lived, worked, served and worshipped together for over 125 years.

The result has been primarily a binary model, where both Alaska Native and the mostly white missionaries and settlers have worked together to share the gospel, serving each other and the communities around them in Christ’s love.

Yet, Alaska is presently far more global in its diversity than many perceive. Here in the Chugach Covenant Church (C3) East Anchorage community of Muldoon, neither Alaska Natives or Caucasians are in the majority. Amazingly, 26 different languages are spoken at the elementary school where we meet for worship. There are significant populations of Hmong (about 40%), Pacific Islanders, and various Asian and Latino people in our midst. Through our partnerships with Muldoon Elementary School, Grace Works and others, we have sought to meaningfully and practically reach out to our diverse community with the love of Jesus. As a result, God is transforming us to look more like our neighbors.

People of color, including our Alaska Native brothers and sisters, now make up some 25–50% of our congregation on a given Sunday.

At C3, we thank God for his goodness and for allowing us to learn so much from those around us. He has opened so many doors for us at the school including movie nights, after school programs, chaperoning events and other service projects.

Additionally, Standish Park is located just across the street from our new C3 Unity Center where summer kids ministry will happen in partnership with Grace Works. We continue to pray that God will continue to give us favor and provide laborers as we seek to love Christ, our church and our community. In due time, we also pray for a great harvest for his eternal kingdom.

The Covenant in Alaska should never forget or abandon its Native Alaskan roots and values. But we cannot ignore the fact that the world at our doorstep is becoming increasingly more diverse. All our neighbors need to be loved and to know that Jesus has given his life that they may share in his life forever.

Nome Covenant Sends Fiskeauxs With Blessing

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

Alaska Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church

Ministry Priorities Start & strengthen churches Make & deepen disciples Develop leaders Love mercy, do justice Serve globally Superintendent: Curtis Ivanoff curtis@alaskacovenant.org Associate Superintendent James Barefoot james@alaskacovenant.org Ministry Associate Aune Carlson aune@alaskacovenant.org Office Administrator Andrea Wilson info@alaskacovenant.org

Sinew Editor

Kristi Ivanoff kristi@alaskacovenant.org P.O. Box 200446 Anchorage, AK 99520 Office: 907-222-6348 Fax: 907-222-6390 e-mail info@alaskacovenant.org website www.alaskacovenant.org

The Nome Covenant Church congregation gathered around Harvey and Nancy Fiskeaux on Sunday, April 14 to pray blessing over their new adventures in retirement. The Fiskeauxs served in Nome for 23 years and also pastored in Scammon Bay prior to that. Superintendent Curtis Ivanoff was in attendance and shared his gratefulness for their service in Nome, as well as Harvey’s six years of service on the Executive Board (formerly General Council).

Donations to the Alaska Conference are tax-deductible and may be made online or mailed to the office directly.