25 Years!

This weekend, MCA celebrated 25 years of faithful ministry by Pastor Kent Redfearn and his family. The events of this weekend brought two thoughts to mind.

First, I highly respect Pastor Kent and his family, along with other long-term Pastors in Alaska for consistently obeying the call of God on their lives and being in it for the long haul. They are inspirations to me and set an example for younger Pastors. I believe that longetivity + effectiveness = fruitfulness.

Secondly, I commend MCA for celebrating such an accomplishment wholeheartedly. The weekend was full of events to honor not only Pastor Kent, but also his wife and kids. When we visibily celebrate something, it demonstrates the value we place there.

In Sitka for the Weekend

I had the privilege of filling the pulpit this weekend in Sitka. You may have heard that Sitka recently voted in a new Pastor who will be arriving in January. The church is excited to be moving forward and about their new Pastors, who are from Montana.

I love preaching in Sitka and really enjoyed seeing many old friends. It was great to spend time with my family also. I am perhaps slightly biased in thinking that Sitka is the most beautiful place on earth. The weather was predicatably rainy and overcast, but I am posting a couple of my mom's pictures of Sitka. She is quite the photographer. The first one is the church.

Married for 56 Years and Counting!

Pastor Dale Parker and his wife, Mary Beth, stopped by the District Office today. They are long time Pastors in Alaska, and are currently Pastors in Angoon. They are in Anchorage to visit with family for Thanksgiving. The Parkers are celebrating their 56th wedding anniversary today! Praise God for people who faithfully obey God's call and go where He sends them. They love the people of Angoon and are excited that God is working in the hearts of people there.

Wasilla Master's Commission Being a Blessing!

Today Pastor Scott Phillips, the director of Wasilla Master's Commission, brought several of the students to help decorate the District Office for Christmas. It was great to have a chance to chat with Scott and hear his heart for discipling students for ministry and life. I also enjoyed a chance to hang out with the students and found them to be fun and also to have servants' hearts. They were a blessing to us today.

The guys endured the cold to hang the outside lights.

The ladies helped Aubrey decorate the inside.

Masters Commission is an effective internship and discipleship program designed to assist young people in knowing God and making Him known. Wasilla MC is one of two Master's Commissions in the state (the other is North Pole). Pastor Scott and the Master's Commission will be taking off to minister in Stebbins and Kotlik in early December. Both Masters Commission groups have been a big blessing to the villages of Alaska.

For more information, see http://www.mcwasillaalaska.com/ and www.mcnorthpole.org/mainmenu.html

Welcome to Mark Zweifel!

It's official! Mark Zweifel and his family are moving to Alaska. Mark will be our next District Youth Director beginning in January of 2009. He has been active in Alaska over the years through speaking at camps, conventions, churches, and other meetings. We are really excited to see what God will do with this generation of young people in Alaska. Please be praying for them as they travel and make this transition.

Presbytery

This week the Alaska District Presbytery convened for the October meeting. It was lots of fun to have everyone in the office, and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know our Presbyters. What a great group of people! As the Presbytery considers issues important to our fellowship, it gives me relief to know that these are people who are full of integrity, take their positions seriously, and are led by the Spirit. Continue to pray for our leadership as they seek God's best for His Kingdom in Alaska.

The Cry of a Generation

Last night I went to Youth Convention. It was an incredible time of worship and the Word. I love seeing this generation worship the Lord with abandon. Mark Zweifel, the speaker, issued a strong challenge. He talked about hell and the concept that "proximity equals responsibility." In other words, we are responsible for sharing the Gospel with those God puts around us. He used Jeremiah to remind us that we are watchmen and will have blood on our hands if we neglect this holy responsibility. At one point in the service, the lights went low and people around the sanctuary began to cry out, "Why didn't you tell me, Mark?" and other such cries. When the lights came back on, those who were crying out had t-shirts with blood colored handprints and stains on their shirts. Mark had what appeared to be blood dripping from his hands. It was powerful imagery and moving to everyone there.

This was also the night when we honored Jen for her years of service as DYD. Jen has been a great leader of the youth of our state and her impact on this generation will remain. It was also good to see many friends from around the state at Convention. When I see the youth of this state worshipping God and giving everything to Him, together with their Youth Pastors, Pastors, and other leaders, I am encouraged about the future of God's Kingdom in Alaska. God is up to something.