Evangelical Covenant Church of Alaska

P.O. Box 770749

Eagle River, Alaska 99577-0749

Ph: 907-694-6348 Fax: 907-694-6378

e-mail : info@eccak.org

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

ktrynr@gmail.com

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

artic4jim@yahoo.com

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

wchickman@CovenantEstatePlanning.org

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 curtis@akcc.org.

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