“New Sails” continued
Missional Marker #8
(Continued from page 1)
cently as 1978, the work in Alaska comprised nearly half of the budget of Home Mission! Things have changed quite significantly in recent years, though we still receive appropriations to supplement ministry expenses. No doubt we will continue to pursue the goal of supporting our ministry with our own Godgive resources. Until that time, the ECC will continue to assist the work in Alaska financially and in other ways as we mature in our standing as a conference. Over the next months, prior to our annual meeting, you have opportunity to engage in this important process. Here is a sketch of what the steps will be: 1.
Read and review the conference constitution draft. Between now the next annual meeting in March of 2015, you are invited to review the proposed constitution that is more extensive than our current one. The ECC requires a oneyear review so churches and individuals may give necessary input. Please send comments, suggestions, and questions about the process and/or the proposed cconstitution to constitution@eccak.org.
2.
The delegates of the 2015 ECCAK annual meeting will vote to adopt the constitution. Amendments can be made between now and then and the General Council will be having ongoing discussion regarding any that may surface.
3.
ECC executive board votes to approve ECCAK becoming a conference. After an affirmative vote at the annual meeting, a vote for confirmation will occur.
4.
Name the conference contest! ECCAK is soliciting name ideas for the new conference until October 10, 2014. Names that have been suggested so far include “Alaska Conference”, “Denali Conference”, “Arctic Conference”, and “Arctic Circumpolar Conference”. your input is valued as a name is important. You may email our office or submit an idea on our website.
This is an exciting time for the Covenant in Alaska. The work does not rest on our ideas or strategies, but rather, like the word of the Lord to his people through his prophet Zechariah, “So he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.’ ” (Zech. 4:6) We rejoice in what God is doing in Alaska. It is God’s ongoing story that is unfolding, and we are the characters in a new chapter being written. We were exhorted by Pastor Joel Oyoumick at the annual meeting, “Let us prepare ourselves, by putting up new sails so that we can catch what God will give us and move forward.” I like that. Time to put up new sails, ECCAK.
2 // ECCAK Sinew
Intentional Evangelism By Jamie Rose, Covenant Youth of Alaska
God has long chosen his people to evangelize, to bear the good news of his great love to those who are far off. Yet, sin remains a component of the church’s life in this present age, Just as a tripod is a and Satan works to sideline us from God’s co-mission for us. trailmarker guiding a God has qualified you to share the gospel, do not sit this one traveler’s journey, this out! Are you within the family of God as a beloved, redeemed, column series explores saved, called, and cherished daughter or son of the Most High missional markers to God? Is your Father the King of Kings, Creator of the heavens guide us in our journey and earth, Redeemer of the world, the God who sees you? If toward healthy, so, it is because he sent his Son: the Lamb of God, the Word missional churches. made flesh, the Messiah, God with us, our Lord and brother Jesus. Praise him! Let the Holy Spirit confirm in you the love the Father has lavished on us. Ask him, would he really call us the children of God? That is what we are! There is good news. Though you were once an enemy of God, you are brought near and counted within God’s household. You have an opportunity to serve God, not as slaves, but as children with an inheritance, and even co-heirs with Christ! I have been brought into God’s family through the witness of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Alaska. For much of my life I have heard Jesus’ directive in Matthew 28 to “Therefore go and make disciples… baptizing and teaching them to obey…” Hearing that commission and reading the fruitful accounts of New Testament ministry I often consider the “harvesting” in my life lacking. I have often felt this commission of evangelism as a heavy burden. I’ve sought to carry it, struggled, and then entered into seasons of dormancy frustrated and confused. As I have served on CYAK staff in Anchorage with our young adult ministry Arigaa God continues to correct me in my understanding of what evangelism is. We are to let our passion for evangelism be born out of God’s own heart for all people. In Isaiah 43 we can hear God’s heart beat: Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth — Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. ” (Isa 43:5-7) Your neighbor, friend, and family members were formed and made by God for his glory! Do they know that? We know so many that do not. Though they have eyes, they are blind; they have ears but are deaf. We who have seen and heard are charged by God to bring them near. God desires our brethren here so much, “I will say to the north, ‘Give them up.’ ” Just as Jesus assured his disciples of his constant companionship, God here assures us, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you” (Isa 43:5). “You are my witnesses, ” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen” (Isa 43:10). Someone you know lives in great darkness. You have the light of the world, “I am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior…You are my witnesses that I am God” (Isa 43:11-12). Let your evangelism be out of God’s love for you and all his people. First let God’s Spirit bear witness within you of his great love for you. Then let his Word show you his great love for all his people. Then let your life and words together bring witness to others of his love in Jesus Christ. Baptize and teach obedience, but let God be concerned about the harvest. “No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?” (Isa 43:13). Has the LORD revealed himself to you as mighty Savior in your life? He who has qualified you says, “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth!” Check out ECC resources for your church or Bible study in the area of evangelism at: http://www.covchurch.org/evangelism