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Transcript of 2010 July Aug Newsletter
Evangelical Covenant Church of Alaska
P.O. Box 770749
Eagle River, Alaska 99577-0749
Ph: 907-694-6348 Fax: 907-694-6378
e-mail : [email protected]
NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
ANCHORAGE, AK
PERMIT NO. 500
Mail to “IN-IT TOGETHER” recipient:
ECCAK!
The Power of Words 22
One Whoppin’ Big Cat-fish or... 33
Elim Alaska Excursion 44
From Bible Camp 55
Remember Us... 66
ACC Graduation 77
ECCAK Prayer Calendar 88--99
Wanted… Old Pictures 1010
Radio Network 1111
What’s Happening? 1212
Grandpa Ost’s Stories... 1313
Just Stuff... 1414
Ways Your Hands And Heart Can Help!
1515
N E W S T H A T W A R M S T H E H E A R T !
Evangelical Covenant Church of Alaska JULY/AUGUST 2010
Native Alaskan Sets Record
News Inside this Issue:
Rae Fancher, was born in Nome and grew up in Bethel. She was drawn to
attend Alaska Christian College in 2004 and completed their program in
2006. After much prayer and counsel from others, it seemed to Rae that the
Lord would have her to attend the prestigious U. S. Naval Academy in Anna-
polis, Maryland. She started the program in the fall of 2006. Her involvement
with the Bethel ROTC also played a part in this important life decision.
On May 28th of 2010, Keith [President of ACC] and Debbie Hamilton
[Executive Director of New Hope Counseling Center] pose with Rae after
they made their way to Annapolis for this historic event...the first Alaskan
Native Female to graduate from the Naval Academy. Rae’s major was gen-
eral engineering. Alaskans have so many young people we are proud of and
Rae is just one of hundreds who inspire us all.
Congratulations Rae!
2
The poem above was written out for me by Jayne
Hanna of Mekoryuk a few years back when I was
visiting in their home. It is a poem made up by
Jayne’s dad, Pastor Nathan Hanna, about his
youngest son Arthur, apparently when they once
lived on the mighty Kuskokwim River. The day of
my visit, Jayne was repeating the poem over and
over to her younger brother Arthur. I asked her to
write down, because it had such “a good ring to
it.”
As I was cleaning my office area one morning
recently, I came across the simple poem she had
written down for me and pondered on the words.
They were words of such encouragement for little
Arthur, who was struggling with some health is-
sues at that time. I was reminded of a passage
from the Scriptures that states: “There are those
who speak rashly, like the piercing of a sword, but
the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Prov. 12:18
(AMP)
We live in times where our TV sitcoms are filled
with “humorous” put downs. We live in days
where our politicians on both sides of the isle are
quick to speak “the truth” sharply of one another
in the careful spinning of their words. Both the
media and our Politician's have had tsunamic
effects on the secular culture of our today, which
one would expect. But I am afraid it has also
been embedded into Christian families and the
church. Many a child grows up with a destroyed
spirit because all they get from home are nega-
tive words. Many a person looses their faith be-
cause a well-meaning bother or sister is deter-
mined to “set the record straight.”
How I thank God for those who understand the
power of their words to heal and provide hope.
Thank you Jayne for being such an encourager
and example by sharing with “Littel Arthur”
words that built him up and did not tear him
down. Maybe, just maybe, he will grow up and
be “smart,” be “manly,” be “happy” and be a
man who loves God because you helped daddy
and mommy plant that seed while he was so
young and impressionable. After all, “Kind
words are like honey— sweet to the soul and
healthy for the body.” Prov. 16:24 (NLT)
Proverbs 16:24 Poem
Littel Art, Arthur, Arthur Stanly,
He’s so smart! And he’s so manly,
He loves God; God loves him,
Happyist boy on the Kuskokwim!
The Power of Words By Rodney J. Sawyer
15
Pray
Our newsletter, “Chilling News”, is full of
stories about the people and the ministry of
ECCAK throughout Alaska. If you would like
to be added to our mailing list, please let us
know.
Encouragement
Writing and/or calling those who serve in
the bush is a great ministry. Want to adopt a
church or a pastor? Ask for a prayer card of
one of our team members.
Mission Teams
Often times we have need for teams of peo-
ple to come and join with a local church,
camp, college, youth group, etc. for a construc-
tion project or outreach event. You can con-
nect through Alaska Merge Ministry at:
www.akmerge.com/how-it-works
Financial
God often calls people to give to ECCAK
beyond the normal local church tithe. And
sometimes churches place ECCAK in their
mission budget. Some are led to leave a gift
through estate planning for work in Alaska
into the future.
Credit Card Donations
ECCAK can receive donations via credit
cards. You can contact the ECCAK office
(907) 694-6348 and Sara or Yvonne will be
happy to assist you.
Teachers or Nurses
Christian teachers and nurses often come
to bush Alaska to serve in the local Covenant
church during off hours. Also, some villages
have no one reaching out to the youth. Call
the ECCAK office 694-6348.
ECCAK mission To make disciples of Christ through a diverse
culturally relevant witness by healthy missional
churches and their supporting organizations.
ECCAK Vision To challenge and assist every local church to
become one that GROWS…
G = God’s Word
R = Relationships
O = Outreach
W = Worship
S = Service
The Evangelical Covenant Church of Alaska
[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.
Field Director: Rodney J. Sawyer
Associate Field Director: Nathan Toots
Church Plant Consultant: Mike Brown
Alaska AVA Coordinator: Melanie Smith
Office Manager: Sara Scoles
Office Assistant: Yvonne Edmonson
Ways Your
Hands and Heart
Can Help!
Pastors/Youth Workers
Often we have empty pulpits and are in
need of pastors, short and long-term. Some
villages have no one reaching out to the
youth.
Donate Air Miles
If you accumulate free air miles, please
consider donating to help a bush pastor and
family get away for some respite.
Give to Bible Camp
Through the ECCAK office, you can do-
nate money to help send a child or young
person to Bible Camp!
14
IS YOUR HUT BURNING?
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for
God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and
to store his few possessions.
But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling
up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger.
"God, how could you do this to me?!" he cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had
come to rescue him.
"How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers.
"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
An invention that never
got off the grounds.
My mom said that the
economy has gotten so
bad that yesterday she
received in the mail a
pre-declined credit
card application.
The secret of managing life is to keep the folks who can't
stand you away from the folks who are undecided.
A Deep Thot: An unemployed jester is nobody's fool.
Only in Alaska!
BEAR SIGNS: There are lots of bears in Alaska. Wise hikers will wear little
bells while on the trail, and constantly keep an eye out for bear droppings. You
can easily tell which droppings are bear droppings because they are the ones
with little bells in them.
3
One Whoppin’ Big Catfish or Big Whoppin’ Story!
Learn more at:
akmerge.com/how-it-works
Kate Cannon
Trip Facilitator
Road System Churches
907-227-3420
South East Conference Superintendant Robert
Owens takes Rodney Sawyer fishing on a river
while Rodney was down to speak at their men’s
retreat in Georgia. Rodney hooked a whopper! It
took both men to land the monster. The catfish
eventually broke Rodney’s line at the edge of
the river and both men had to jump in the water
to hoist this “River Monster” out. Rodney is
considering starting his own TV show.
Not everyone will take this story hook, line and
sinker. For some, this story is the only whopper
they see. Some people might even think that
Rodney put someone up to doctoring several
pictures with some fancy computer software.
So which camp are you in? A real fish or a whopper story? You pick. But don’t be surprised if you see Rod-
ney and Robert on TV’s “River Monsters” show sometime real soon.
James Barefoot
Trip Facilitator
Village Churches
907-304-1617
Merge staff Listens to your team ministry goals.
Helps you find ways to cut costs.
Leads your team through an orientation to fit your ministry.
Accompanies your team for a smooth. effective week of ministry. Encourages and facilitates continued communication and long term relationships.
4
An Elim Alaska Excursion
Recently, Rodney Sawyer and Byron Bruckner went to Elim to meet
Don Cross and his wife Fei. Rodney and Byron’s host family had a
sudden change in plans, so they ended up staying with the Cross Fam-
ily.
Don picked Rodney up at the airport on his snogo and took him to his
house, introduced his wife Fei and returned to get Byron. Rodney said
he was amazed at what he saw.
Fei had three children fussing,
two were twin babies [girl and
boy], she had a phone strung
around her neck and was in the
middle of an on-line class with
the speaker phone on, she was
cooking supper for two unex-
pected guests, and the most
amazing thing, she had a smile on her face!
It was a good time of being together with the Cross family. Byron
and Rodney spent a good deal of time holding a twin on their
knee. The Elim church has asked Don to be their interim pastor as
he steps through some processes with the ECC. Previously, Don
was involved with a church in Stebbins and also worked several years with Teen Challenge as a coun-
selor. Don grew up as a boy in Elim and loves it there.
Fei served as a missionary to her own country of Malaysia before she met Don. She is presently serving
as a village counselor in Elim. Her family still lives in Malaysia. Their family picture is located in the
middle of this newsletter in the prayer section.
Don and Fei shared much of their life story with Bruckner and Sawyer. Their marriage was technologic
sovereignty, that is, they met on the internet while Fei lived in her home country of Malaysia.
As per Pastor Greg Asimakoupoulos (who also provided the picture) the sister and brother picture above
appeared for decades in the World Book Encyclopedia article on Eskimos. Apparently the Brown family
was chosen to tour the USA back in the forties as part of some marketing campaign.
World Book Encyclopedia Stars The picture on the left is of Jack Brown and his sister Thelma The picture appeared in the 1940s’ Edition of World Book Encyclopedia. Jack now lives in Golovin and Thelma lives in White Mountain.
13
“Grandpa Ost’s Stories Warm The Heart”
What is your legacy?
How can we help you build it?
Both current and legacy charitable gifts are part of our
stewardship of what God has entrusted to us.
Even if we cannot afford large gifts during lifetime, a
legacy gift from our estate can be significant. These
gifts can continue our involvement with ministry long
after current gifts have ceased, and can fund special pro-
jects or programs that may be close to our hearts.
Alaska Representative is Bill Hickman
from Snowqualmie, Washington
He can be reached at:
1-888-494-0663 or
In 1979, Jan-Olov Schroder wrote a biography on L. E. Ost, better known as “Grandpa” here in Alaska.
Unfortunately, for non-Swedish speakers, Schroder wrote the book in Swedish. But English-speakers-only
were not to be denied the stories of Grandpa Ost. Sometime later, the late and long-time Covenant mission-
ary and North Park Prof. Sigurd Westberg translated the book into English.
Copies of his translation have been floating
around for several years.
Now, a few lucky people can read stories like:
“The Wedding in a Sleeping Bag”
Or
“Grandpa Killed a Grizzly With One Shot
Through the Wall.”
There is so much history of the beginning of the
Covenant in Alaska woven throughout the book.
The book was named :
Grandpa:
A Mission in Alaska
The English translated version has been digitized, reformatted and fitted into a beautiful hard
bound hand-crafted wooden cover. For your treasured copy of this limited supply, please fill out the
enclosed envelope right away. Copies will be manufactured and mailed to donors on a first come basis.
ECCAK is making a special offer
for those who donate $200 or more to the ministry.
12
Nome Covenant , White Mountain Covenant, Golovin Covenant, Elim Covenant, Koyuk
Covenant, Shaktoolik Covenant, Unalakleet Covenant, Fairbanks Covenant, Mat-Su
Covenant, Eagle River Covenant, Korean Hope Covenant, New Song Covenant, An-
chorage First, Bethel CoJvenant, Mekoryuk Covenant, Hooper Bay Covenant, Scammon
Bay Covenant, Mountain Village Covenant, Kalskag Bible
Chapel, The River Covenant Church
Our Supporting Organizations
New Hope Counseling Center (NHCC)
Campus Christian Fellowship (CCF)
Covenant Youth of Alaska (CYAK)
Alaska Christian College (ACC)
Covenant Bible Camp (CBC)
KICY Radio
ECCAK Churches in need of staff:
Shaktoolik Covenant: Pastor
Kalskag Bible Chapel: Pastor
No Name Church of Anchorage:
Pray God raises up a church
planter and a location in Anchorage
Youth Pastors/Workers
Covenant Newswire: www.covchurch.org—click on Newswire button
Covenant Bible Camp (CBC): www.cyak.org/bible-camp.html
Advocacy for Victims of Abuse: www.covchurch.org/women/ava
Evangelical Covenant Church of Alaska: www.eccak.org
Covenant Youth of Alaska (CYAK): www.cyak.org
New Hope Counseling Center: www.nhccak.org
Alaska Christian College: www.akcc.org
Amundsen Educational Center: aecak.org
Arctic Barnabas Ministries: www.articbarnabas.org (view new updates!)
KICY: www.kicy.org
The “In It Together…” ECCAK Ministry Team
Websites to check out...
June 23—July 4 Nystrom Family Work Team at Chickaloon
July 4—July 11 Kentucky 10 Work Team at Chickaloon
TBD Alaskan Work Teams at Chickaloon
Aug. 3—Aug. 8 Vision Camp at Unalakleet
Aug. 12—Aug. 17 Scheibe Family Work Team at Chickaloon
Aug. 13—Aug. 14 RFD Search Committee Meeting at InterAct
Sep. 10—Sep. 11 ECCAK GC Meeting
THE BIG ONE: In Alaska when someone refers to "the BIG one" it's important to clarify whether they are talking about a King salmon, Mt. McKinley, or the 1964 earthquake.
5
From 2010 Covenant Bible Camp… by Rev. Mary Putera
Goiiiinnnnnngg!!!! To BIBLE CAMP!!!!! Wanna COME???
Yes, that’s the word on the street, the roads and the water ways and Facebook pages of North Western
Alaska’s Youth! It’s time for FLYING into Unalakleet and heading up to North River for Covenant Bible
Camp. Covenant Bible Camp is a safe place for kids to grow closer to Jesus, stronger in community, deeper
in the word and more prepared than ever to live our Christian mission.
The photo shows us gathered
on the front porch of our
newest building know as
“The ARK!” It was our first
week of camp 2010 known
as Leadership Week! This
is a time to invest in camp-
ers and staff by going
deeply into the word and
our own life stories, listen-
ing for God’s work in the
midst of the community
and our own lives. Adam
London brought this group
through texts flushing out what it means to willingly choose to be a slave
to Christ. Tom Mute and Rev. Mary Putera brought the group through explorations of what it means to live a
life of worship as we worked on “finding our lives in the Text!” God so faithfully cared for us all during this
time. Many of these young leaders are now serving as camp counselors and staff for the next five weeks.
Such Great Goings On at Covenant Bible Camp! Wanna Come Alongside?
We have students in greater numbers desiring to attend. Families and villages are suffering greater eco-
nomic struggle than ever before. We have way more scholarship requests than we can cover and yet
truly know God’s glory is grown in our youth’s participation in Bible Camp. We remain determined to
say Yes! Come! We know, as we make this appeal, that economic tension and deep struggle are a part of
this nation’s story right now. Yet, our God is Great and we in Him boldly invite you to help us. We
have a gap of $15,000.00 to fill through the blessings of others. As the Holy Spirit leads, please mark the
enclosed envelope and mail.
We thank you and may God bless you! From all of us whom serve with you at Covenant Bible Camp, Unalakleet, AK.
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes
of his heart through all generations. Psalm 33:11 (NIV)
Great Book:
“The Hole in Our Gospel” by Richard Stearns Director of World Vision
6
Scammon Bay asks: “Remember us…”
An email was sent to ECCAK stating in
the subject area, “Remember us…” It
came from Pastor John Uttereyuk, who shares the load with their new pastor, Jason Stromstad. An excerpt
from the email stated: “The BRETHREN, pike fishing at the Mud Volcanoes, 60 miles east of Scammon
Left to Right:
Billy Rivers Jr.,
John Uttereyuk,
George Smith,
Clifford Kaganak Sr.,
Jacob Rivers,
Byron "Johnny" Ulak.
Chickaloon Phase I Update. Teams from the Lower-48 are
scheduled to come up this sum-
mer from the east to the west
coast and Alaska teams are
being developed. How we
thank God for this marvelous
provision. Funds continue to
come in as we look to complete
the two cabins this summer.
The Chickaloon vision states:
“To provide a place where so-
journers encounter God through
multifaceted opportunities that
take place in the untamed
splendor of Chickaloon.” It is
almost as if you can hear the words from Ps. 34:8 “Come and taste and see that the Lord is good.” Chicka-
loon is a safe place nestled within the boundless borders and cloud catching peaks which surrenders itself to
sojourning souls. God’s presence is easily sensed when on the sight which is tucked in between King and
Castle Mountains! Donations to help finish Phase I can be made using the enclosed envelope.
11
It is with deep sorrow that I must report to you that Robert (Bob) “Eldridge,
the pioneer founder of Voice for Christ Ministries, General Dikrector for 28 years and President Emeritus, has been promoted to glory. At the same
time we have the
joyful assurance that Bob is now in the very
presence of of his Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ.
During the last few months Bob has endured sev-eral difficult operations including eye surgery and
the removal of a canerous kidney. In his usual
humorous imagery, he compared his body to that of an old Model-T Ford with lumpy tires, broken
parts, and pieces falling off, but still bumping along as it wobbled down the road. He was an-
ticipating yet another medical operation in the middle of May to correct a surgery-related hernia. That
surgery never took place. Late in the afternoon of May 11th at his home near Nenana, Bob was seriously injured when he was accidentally pinned between two pieces of heavy equipment. His wife, Dee,
wisely called "911". Given the situation and Bob's severe injuries, however, no human intervention could save his life. He passed away before the ambulance reached the hospital.
He was buried a week later on a beautiful warm sunny evening in the community cemetery just a few
miles from his home. Most of the funeral and burial were according to the customs of the local native
Alaskan people for whom God had given Bob such a great love and to whom Bob had dedicated so much of his life. The beautiful wooden casket was carefully hand-crafted and beautifully decorated by local
village people. The burial service included a flyby of single-engine bush planes, very similar to the one he began using 41 years ago to minister to rural Alaskan villages as an itinerant flying pastor. In accor-
dance with the Athabascan Indian tradition, the burial was followed by a celebration of Bob's life at
the local tribal hall. His life and legacy were also remembered at a memorial service at Fairbanks in the Bethel Church.
Radio Network: I AM, Nenana, AK
ECCAK and other Christian organizations have long been blessed to partner with the folks from Voice for Christ Ministries out of Nenana, AK. We were all saddened to hear of Bob Eldridge’s passing on. We will
miss him and ask for your prayers for the families and workers at their radio stations in Alaska. The fol-lowing is from the “Voice for Christ Ministries” Newsletter:
You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the
godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call
to him. Psalm 4:3 (NLT)
Never allow the thought-
“I am of no use where I am;”
because you certainly can be
of no use where you are not.
Oswald Chambers,
My Utmost for His Highest.
10
WANTED… OLD PICTURES!
Perhaps you have some old pictures from the “good old days” that you would like to share with us.
Please send them to: ECCAK—PO Box 770749 Eagle River, AK 99577
We will scan them and return them to you. Be sure to provide us with your return address.
We hope that many of you are enjoying your 2010
ECCAK calendar!
If you did not receive one in the mail,
please contact our office and
we will be glad to send you one.
Picture provided by James Bruckner at North Park Seminary, Chicago Boy identified by Mary Smith, formerly from Toksook Bay
Walrus Boy: Francis Neevak of Toksook Bay
7
ACC 2010 Graduation By Jeff Seimers
Alaska Christian College held Commencement for
it’s ninth graduating class on April 25, 2010. The
year began with the largest class in ACC’s history
and completed in the same manner. Forty-one
students participated in the day’s exercises. Eight-
een finished certificates this year, either the one-
year Certificate of Biblical Studies or the two-year
Certificate of Biblical and General Studies.
Students in the program represented 17 different
Alaskan communities; nine communities were
represented from Covenant church areas: Moun-
tain Village, Bethel, Anchorage, Scammon Bay,
Mekoryuk, Hooper Bay, Eagle River, Shaktoolik,
and Unalakleet.
The service was broadcasted on KICY for friends
and families of the graduates to listen. The com-
mencement included congregational singing and
selections by the ACC choir. Isaac Wood V of
Dillingham gave a testimony while Aaron To-
warak of Unalakleet shared a class response. Stu-
dents of the Year were recognized. Melanie Shav-
ings of Mekoryuk and Aaron Towarak of Unalak-
leet received these highly respected awards
(followed by many cheers from their classmates).
The students, staff, and faculty members of ACC
select the Students of the Year through a vote.
These students will have their names engraved on
a plaque at the campus of ACC. This year’s vale-
dictorian, Matt Blair of Anchorage, was recog-
nized as well.
Guests enjoyed the commencement address given
by Governor Sean Parnell. Parnell encouraged
students to continue their educations and be pro-
ductive community members in Alaska. He also
provided his perspective on the integration of faith
and learning.
ACC continues to offer a biblically-sound, Christ-
centered education. The school’s programs in-
clude academic classes, mentoring, counseling,
and extensive opportunities for fellowship and
Christian growth. Recruiting for Fall 2010 is well
underway. If you know of a college-age student
who would be interested in attending, contact Cur-
tis Ivanoff in Admissions at 907-260-7422, ext.
3001 or [email protected].
You can learn more about ACC or download an
application at akcc.org.
8
DAILY PRAYER by NAME
SUN
Carl and Marcia
Elwood [ Mt. Village ]
MON Harvey and Nancy
Fiskeau [ Nome ]
TUES
Mark and Joanna Hill
[ Soldotna ]
WED John and Wendy
Hege [ Fairbanks ]
THU Wass and Jean
Mute [ Koyuk ]
FRI Mike and Peggy
Nystrom [ Washington ]
SAT
Henry and Betty
Oyoumick [ Unalakleet ]
July 2010 by PICTURE
Interim Pastor Don
and Fei Cross with
twins Kadyn & Kate-
lyn and Jared (their
oldest, shy and hid-
ing in photo) from
Elim
Nathan & Karli Hobbs from
Nome [Karli fighting cancer]
CYAK Board Members:
Left to right—Byron
Bruckner, Doug Swanson,
Rev. Mary Putera, Rodney
Sawyer, David Helwig and
Dr. Kaye Zwiacher, MD
Picture of Northern Lights taken by
Rachel Joy McElwee
of White Moutain
8
9
August 2010
DAILY PRAYER by NAME
SUN
Dave Thompsen [ Eagle River ]
MON
John and Carolyn Utteryuk
[ Scammon Bay ]
TUE
Max and Helen Cepero
[ Anchorage ]
WED
John and Julie Wenrich
[ Chicago ]
THU
Ron and Kathy Bowerman [ Bethel ]
FRI
Tim and Mary Beth Daniels
[ Unalakleet ]
SAT
Hugh and Lynette
Forbes [ Bethel ]
by PICTURE
Sherry and Jim Libby
From Mat-Su Covenant
Josephine Daniels of
River Covenant in Kenai
Betty Kay and Lynn
Jackson of Shaktoolik
CYAK Board Members:
Left to right—Byron
Bruckner, Doug Swanson,
Rev. Mary Putera, Rodney
Sawyer, David Helwig and
Dr. Kaye Zwiacher, MD
Picture of Northern Lights taken by
Rachel Joy McElwee
of White Moutain
9