Fall 2014 // 1

theSinew ECCAK

Ephesians 4:16

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

Two village churches have begun the pro-cess to raise $195,000 each for a new parson-age 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 support-ing 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 schedul-ing construction teams). “Housing in rural communities is extremely limited, so without adequate housing availa-ble, 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 par-sonages in the summer of 2015.” Elim Covenant Church Progress toward the new parsonage began in May when Pastor Bob Curtis and commu-nity 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 Naga-ruk, 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 bath-room design is simple and efficient and will supply adequate space for a pastor’s needs and will be similar to other homes typical in

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 gra-ciously living in a home that many would con-sider un-livable due to significant water dam-age 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 assess-ment for the best course of action was com-pleted. 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 pas-tor, 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 EC-CAK staff will be praying for the needs and helping to connect the churches with re-sources and workers that God moves to assist in various ways.” To make a donation to the parsonage pro-ject, you may give online at www.eccak.org. If you or your church is interested in partner-ing in other ways, please contact Jenn at the ECCAK office or send an email to info@eccak.org.

Elim and Scammon Bay Churches Need Funds, Workers, Prayer

to Complete Construction Projects for Much-Needed Parsonages

Top: The Elim Church parsonage was recy-

cled 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.

2 // ECCAK Sinew

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-wikh-

tuck), 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 some-thing 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 for-ward with becoming an official conference of the Evangeli-cal Covenant Church, a direction our denominational lead-ership 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 ap-proach 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 self-supporting 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, sharpee-illustrated 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 peo-ple and churches to respond anew: intentionally and generously.

Every church has an organizational structure. Few churches have a fruitful organizational structure. A fruitful organizational structure is a system by which a congregation delegates responsibilities and decision-making authority to appropriate groups and individuals so that decisions are made and things get done to achieve ministry objectives in ways that are both effective and satisfying. Four foundational principles guide a healthy dis-cussion of issues relating to organizational struc-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 church-es do when attempting to fix a structural issue is create a “Constitutional Re-vision 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 de-bate. 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 consti-tution might, or might not, be preventing fruitfulness in your organizational structure. More often than not, the real issues that prevent ministry fruitful-ness are cultural, not constitutional. A process in which cultural, missional, and structural issues—in concert with one another—are examined and ad-dressed 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 address-ing 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 with-in 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 relat-ed 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 con-gregation 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. Other-wise, 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.

Missional Marker #10

Fruitful Organization Structures

by Rev. Dave Benedict

Just as a tripod is a trail-marker guiding a

traveler’s journey, this column series explores missional markers to

guide us in our journey toward healthy,

missional churches.

Raise the Sail Anew:

Intentional Generosity

by Curtis Ivanoff, Field Director

Fall 2014 // 3

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 Acade-my. 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 sea-son,” she fondly recounts. They have one three-year-old son, Parker, who was born while she finished her education degree at Kenai Pen-insula 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 coun-selor. 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 ad-ministrator 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 expe-rience 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 some-times 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 contin-ues 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!

2014 Covenant Bible Camp Highlights 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.

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.

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

4 // ECCAK Sinew

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 ex-pressed 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 Cun-ningham 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 To-warak, 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.

The traditional North River picnic was skipped due to the very high water at the bridge and the cold north wind drove the dinner indoors to allow comfortable eating and visiting conditions for the aging group of Wolverines. From the indoor picnic, the party moved to the CHS gymnasium for an evening of fun and old games. “If You Love Me Honey, Smile”, “Musical Chairs” and “Pass the Lifesaver” were a few of the classics that resulted in tears of laughter and much gaiety. Saturday mid-morning was reserved for the memorial service for the Whites and the church filled with those wishing to say final farewell to the dedicated couple. Beautiful music, poignant and amusing stories as well as biblical wisdom engaged the audience for several hours. No one who witnessed the service could deny that Mr. and Mrs. White had longimpact on all who they came into contact with during their 30 years in Unalakleet. Many tears were shed but it was a true “celebration of life” that transitioned to the graveyard for final words and song.

Editor’s note: This article has been adapted from a paper written in 2008 while Curtis attended North Park Seminary. The complete paper can be found at www. eccak.org. 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 Unala-kleet, 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 rea-sons for starting a school. First, there was need for a secondary educa-tion 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.

Londborg had communicated with the territorial government to offer correspondence courses under their authority. Under the direction of the Covenant Missionary Council of Alaska (CMCA), Covenant High 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 pro-vide 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 pro-ductive field from which to choose future Native pastors; and to pro-vide 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 Commis-sion of Education of the Territory of Alaska (later the State of Alaska), 375 students graduated from Covenant High while 1,845 students were en-rolled 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

of teachers that we turn to see the significance of the work. 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. 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.” gether from 1961 to1977, pointed out , “Looking back, there have been terrific results over the years, and yet I don’t think we did anything out-standing. 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.

Covenant High Alumni Gather

To Celebrate and Rememberby Jeff Erickson, Covenant High Alumnus

Covenant High School: Its Beginning and Ending in the Context of Alaska Educationby Curtis Ivanoff, ECCAK Field Director

Fall 2014 // 5

The traditional North River picnic was skipped due to the very high water at the bridge and the cold north wind drove the dinner indoors to allow comfortable eating and visiting conditions for the aging group of Wolverines. From the indoor picnic, the party moved to the CHS gymnasium for an evening of fun and old games. “If You Love Me Honey, Smile”, “Musical Chairs” and “Pass the Lifesaver” were a few of the classics that resulted in tears of laughter and much gaiety.

morning was reserved for the memorial service for the Whites and the church filled with those wishing to say final farewell to the dedicated couple. Beautiful music, poignant and amusing stories as well as biblical wisdom engaged the audience for several hours. No one who witnessed the service could deny that Mr. and Mrs. White had long-lasting influence and impact on all who they came into contact with during their 30 years in Unalakleet. Many tears were shed but it was a true “celebration of life” that transitioned to the graveyard for final words

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. However, the bidding was serious and the auction was very successful. More than $9,000 was raised to cover expenses and to use for some charitable project(s) that will be decided by the alumni group. Sunday saw the end of the activities as the group met for church in the morning and then deli-cious king crab, BBQ ribs accompanied by tables of other delicacies to complete the three days of great food and fellowship. Covenant High School was in existence for 31 years but its influence is stronger than ever. Many of the alumni are now grandparents and great-grandparents, and the lessons learned and the ethics instilled, are being passed on to future generations. The Covenant High School slogan, “Education with an Eternal Emphasis”, is certainly alive and well in the lives of those touched by the school and its staff members. The dishes weren’t dried before talk of another reunion had started.

The CMCA, at its annual meeting in 1955, included four statements

Annual Reports to the Commis-

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 to-gether from 1961 to1977, pointed out , “Looking back, there have been terrific results over the years, and yet I don’t think we did anything out-standing. 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 provid-ing 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 plain-tiffs 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 land-mark 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)

Covenant High Alumni Gather

To Celebrate and Remember

by Jeff Erickson, Covenant High Alumnus

Covenant High School: Its Beginning and Ending in the Context of Alaska Education

by Curtis Ivanoff, ECCAK Field Director

6 // ECCAK Sinew

Around ECCAK

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.

With our noses pressed to the window of our small airplane, we eagerly watched for the Elim gravel airstrip and the friends that we knew would be there to greet us. It had been a long flight for our small team of five between Birchwood and Elim due to weath-er, weight restrictions and refueling stops, but we had finally arrived! Pastor Bob Cur-tis and members of his Elim Covenant Church congregation greeted us warmly with huge hugs and smiles and then loaded up our mountain of gear (luggage, sleeping bags, food, VBS supplies, etc.) to drive us to the village school – our home for the next 6 nights. There we were welcomed with more huge hugs and smiles by the many children of Elim who had been eagerly anticipating the annual arrival of our Vacation Bible School team from Community Covenant Church (CCC) in Eagle River, AK. How fun it was to see the children and oh how they had grown! 45 minutes of happy chaos ensued as we got reacquainted with our young friends and heard the latest from the precious people of Elim whom we have grown to dearly love over the last five years. Generally, several members of our 5 – 9 member team return annually, so we have been blessed to form warm, solid, lasting relationships between members of Elim and CCC. What a joy to join hands and hearts as our congregations co-partner spiritually, financially, and personally in what God is doing in Alaska!

Susan Casey has faithfully and passionately led our team each year as we have learned from our many mistakes as well as the happy

successes. The Lord has graciously and pa-tiently guided us and taught us more about Himself, and has grown us deeper in relation-ship with Him as well as each other. Every year, the VBS team prays and plans for Bible stories, games, activities, crafts, snacks, etc. and every year the Lord changes our plans in Elim – sometimes drastically – and turns them into his most excellent plans and purposes. This year was no exception. The team was smaller than usual. Our usual sunny weather was rainy instead, which often moved us indoors translat-ing into closer, quieter, deeper relationships with kids and adults alike. In addition to dramatized Bible stories, lively songs, fantastic crafts (tye-dyed t-shirts are very popular!), we tried a Scripture Memory Club which was a big hit with the kids. We held a women’s fellowship evening attended by nine women (7 Elim ladies, Susan and myself) pray-ing, laughing, sharing, eating and reading the Word together – a wonderful evening! Every year as adults and children alike share cross culture time together, Jesus teaches all of us more about listening to him, trusting him, and sharing in his wisdom and grace. As the week nears its end, our team bids a reluctant good-bye to all our Elim friends. Leaving exhausted, but exhilarated, we see the Lord’s heart and hands at work transforming the lives of all his children regardless of age or culture.

All God’s Children: Community Covenant & Elim Partnership Brings Blessing to Many by Ellen Wood, Community Covenant VBS team member

2014 Elim & Community Covenant

Church—Eagle River partnership outreach

close, but people realized its season had come and been fulfilled.” The motto of Covenant High was “Education with an Eternal Em-phasis!” That motto is reflective of the work of the Covenant in Alaska and the value that has been placed upon education by our denomina-

tion. The graduates estab-lished a legacy, some of which became church board mem-bers, Sunday school teachers, church musicians, pastors and Christian parents. Others went on to become teachers, doctors, lawyers, mechanics, corporation executives, com-mercial pilots, and mayors. These people have been some of the ones to write the next chapters of life in west-ern Alaska and in the work of the church. They share a

common educational home that exhorted them to be “true to God’s horizons ever new.”

Covenant High School: Beginning and Context (Continued from page 5)

Al & Gladys White and children Ernest, Mel

and Florence. The Whites served at Cove-

nant High School from 1956-1986.

Fall 2014 // 7

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

Jamie (Erica) Rose

Arigaa—Anchorage

Arigaa/CYAK intern Charis Erhardt

Erica’s health concerns & pregnancy

Caring for new students from the bush thru Arigaa ministry outreach

Please pray Isaiah 30:21 over us

David and Lauren Rurik Arigaa/CYAK admin, Anchorage

Guidance in each of our areas of ministry

Wisdom and joy in the early days of our marriage as we settle into life and ministry together

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 Bible Camp/young adult ministry

Unalakleet

Momentum for young adult ministry

Bible camps for summer 2015

Wisdom in parenting and ministry

Byron (Sue) Bruckner CYAK Director, Anchorage

Transition through move to Anc.

God to raise up a Norton Sound regional coach

Guidance & protection for family

Wednesday CYAK Board of Directors are passionate about seeing Christ

transform youth and desire to provide support and leadership to those serving

youth in the state. Pray for them as they meet this month.

Alaska Christian College Board made up of individuals representing expertise in education, ministry, com-merce and civil service seek wisdom and unity as they meet this month.

Bible Camp Board consists of several individuals who themselves were ministered to as

campers and young adults at the camp located in Unalakleet. They covet

prayers for campers and for vision.

Thursday ACC Student Services Staff Soldotna

Resident supervisors, tutors, instruc-tors, administrators need discernment and encouragement as they care for students in a transitional life season.

Jeff (Cheryl) Siemers ACC Vice President, Soldotna

Endurance for added responsibility while president on sabbatical

Joy in serving & caring for students

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 The important men and women who serve each week as teachers for chil-

dren and youth are remembered today. Pray that God would call more indige-nous adults to partake in this ministry.

New Hope Counseling Center Soldotna

NHCC provides counseling and sup-port for ACC students. Students find healing and hope through the care of

staff and support groups.

Scott & Krista Pitsch ACC Faculty/Admissions

Balance for family & ministry call

Children’s health & well-being

Enthusiasm for teaching & caring

Prayer Calendar

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

Important Dates

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

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

NONPROFIT ORG

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

ANCHORAGE, AK

PERMIT NO. 537

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

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.

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

Office Manager:

Jenn Steinbrecher

info@eccak.org

Sinew Editor:

Kristi Ivanoff

kristi@eccak.org

Adam London

Unalakleet

Jane Atuk

Anchorage

Lanette Forbes

Bethel

Harvey Fiskeaux

Nome

Ed Shirk

Fairbanks

Sandra King

Mekoryuk

Betty Jackson

Shaktoolik

Joshua Mathlaw

Mountain Village

Elected

General

Council

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 participat-ed in community projects. First Covenant Church of Omaha, NE, completed several projects around First Cove-nant 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.

Merge Teams Serve and Learn in AK

Curt Lindner

Eagle River