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Covenant Conferences Partner With Alaskan Churches

Living conditions for pastors and church members in rural Alaska could significantly improve thanks to new partnerships with Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) conferences.  The conferences in the lower 48 states are each partnering with at least one church and will offer financial support, prayer and encouragement. 

Rodney Sawyer, field director for the ECC of Alaska says that villages often are geographically isolated and suffer unemployment rates that can reach 80 percent.  Many villagers must live off the land, hunting and farming for their food.  One village still doesn't have running water.  Living conditions for pastors can be harsh; some live in poor, unhealthy conditions.

The process of connecting conferences with churches began when superintendents met at Alaska Christian College in Soldotna for their annual fall meeting.  As they heard Alaskan natives discuss their living conditions, they committed to help. 

The Midwest Conference will be partnering with Mountain Village Covenant Church, located on the north bank of the Yukon River, approximately 470 miles northwest of Anchorage.  The church is served by Pastor Carl and Marcia Elwood who have lived in Alaska since 2002.

This July 2009, two teams of six people from Midwest Conference churches, spent a week in Mountain Village constructing a 20x20 garage-type building for the church.  This structure will be used for working on snow machines, ATV's and numerous other purposes.  Following is a daily update with photos sent in by the two teams.

There is still a major need for financial support of this summer's mission as the conference executive board committed the necessary funds to order all building supplies in advance.  Can we count on your support?  Contributions can be sent to the conference office, designated for the Alaska Partnership.  Mailing address is:  Midwest Conference, 13304 W Center Rd #222, Omaha NE 68144. 

DAILY UPDATES FROM MISSION TEAM  (click on DAYS 1-10 below to see photos and daily updates along with photo of completed project, teams, and word of thanks!)

Click below to download the letters sent to Midwest Conference churches regarding our partnership opportunities with Mountain Village Covenant Church.

DAYS-5-10.pdf

Team-photoscompleted-project-and-Thanks-be-to-God.pdf

Alaska-Ministry-Letter-to-churches-3-26-09.pdf

Letter-to-churches-5-6-09-on-letterhead-3.pdf

DAYS-1-4.pdf

Alaska-Ministry-Letter-to-churches-2-27-09.pdf