SUMMER 2021
Conference, Locals, Teams Work Together For Elim Church Parsonage Construction After seven years of fundraising and months of planning, a team of Minnesota builders, Conference office staff, Elim area residents, and friends from around Norton Sound convened to start the construction of the 1076 sq.ft. structure that will be used to house future pastoral staff. In less than one week, the team transformed the empty gravel pad to an enclosed structure with windows, doors, and roof,. In May of 2014, former pastor Bob Curtis and the church leadership decided that the then-parsonage was in such disrepair, that rebuilding would be the best move forward. The village governing body donated a lot near the church and provided gravel and labor needed to lay the pad. Kenny Takak, Elim Covenant Church Chairman, and Interim Pastor Chip Swanson urged the Alaska Conference to commence planning for summer construction after a large donation was received in early 2021 that completed the fundraising goal. “Given the varied concerns about Covid-19, at the time we decided to move forward I had wondered how challenging it would be find volunteers, Superintendent Curtis Ivanoff said. “God has been faithful to
provide and I will say that Kenny has set an example of faith in God’s provision each step of the way.” Curtis reached out to Pastor Rick Millikin of Mat-Su Covenant Church, who has hosted many work teams prior to begin brainstorming. Rick connected with Doug Gjerstad, of Montgomery, MN, who had served on a prior work team in the Mat-Su Valley, who agreed to lead the construction planning and management. Doug recruited Dean Adolph, a colleague, also from Minnesota, to serve on the team. Doug identified a 6 -week construction schedule with six work teams needed to complete construction. After much prayer and many phone calls, Curtis connected with Pastor Barry Anthony, of Moose Lake Covenant Church (Moose Lake, MN) who had brought work teams to Alaska in previous summers to work at Chickaloon Retreat Center and the Aarigaa House in Anchorage. With just four weeks left before the MARC plane was to fly, Barry was able to identify five other experienced workers to commit to serving as the lead(Continued on page 2)
Pictured above: On day one, materials needed to be moved and unloaded on the gravel pad that was prepared for the structure. Dean Adolf and Doug Gjerstad of MN, discuss plans for water service with Elim’s Roy Daniels. Clarence Savetilik, of Elim, prepared fresh salmon for the group as he served as the primary cook for the visiting volunteers. Koyuk Pastor Don Cross, Pastor Barry Anthony of Moose Lake, MN, and Superintendent Curtis Ivanoff enjoyed fellowship together through the week. Leon Hedberg, of MN and others are blessed with favorable weather as they secure flooring joists. Elim village leaders supported the project in many ways, including providing heavy equipment as needs arose. Victor Nylin, of Elim, was a welcome sight as materials needed to be transported. Pre-constructed house panels made the exterior framing a quick project. Associate Superintendent Brian Nanninga and Elim church board chairman Kenny Takak take an afternoon walk in the sunny weather as they get acquainted for the first time. The Minnesota team took a break for a group photo in front of the Elim Church. The Elim parsonage is roofed and ready for the Unalakleet group that would continue with siding and interior work.
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