Alaska

ALASKA CONFERENCE // NEWS

Aiden Blair (left), Melanie Seater (back center), Eli Seater (center), Joleen Seater (front center), Matthew Loop (back right) and Jonathan Loop (front right) prepare to be baptized.

BAPTISMS GO ON DESPITE PANDEMIC

When the 10, six young people who had COVID-19 panbeen attending the Midnight demic hit with full force and Son Church in Kenai were mandates for church closures baptized after making their were announced, churches commitments in February, across the nation closed their shortly before all churches doors. The impact the panwere shut down. demic made on evangelistic Three siblings from one meetings that were in progress, family, two from another and baptisms that were scheduled, one young man from a third prayer meetings and many family all gave their lives over other events was devastating to to Jesus at the church. Keeping so many lives as family, friends in mind mandates for masks, and acquaintances struggled to social distancing and numbers stay safe. that could congregate, family

In several Alaska churches, members and a few friends the local church pastors and were able to attend the service. leaders forged ahead and came They praise God for these up with ways to continue young people who have reaching their congregation accepted Jesus as their Savior through Zoom, Facebook Live and committed their lives to and personal phone calls. For Him. those anxiously awaiting at These new, energetic home to be baptized without members are happily violating any mandates that welcomed into the fellowship were in place, Don Barnt, of the Midnight Son Church. pastor, made the decision to forge ahead with several youth Denise Tank, Midnight Son baptisms. Church head elder

On Friday evening, July ST. LAWRENCE ISLAND ADDS TO CHRIST’S KINGDOM

In mid-March, Arctic resulting from the coronavirus, Mission Adventure volunit was not possible. teer Petu “Chris” Koonooka, Tobin Dodge, Arctic elder of the Gambell Adventist Mission director, spoke Church, started Bible studwith the conference, and ies with Ina Koonooka, 19, approval was granted for and Ila James, 17. Fear of the Chris to conduct the baptisms. COVID-19 pandemic inspired Meanwhile, Solomon made them to study in preparation to the decision to be baptized as be ready for Christ’s return. well. The date was set for May

Each evening, the four 16, which coincided with the would review two Native New birthday of the person both Day lessons in addition to Ina and Ila were named after, regular Tuesday and Saturday which made the day even more evening meetings. The small special. group continued to meet Using pots of heated during the pandemic. Some water, the church prepared Sabbath services would be a small swimming pool that just have three in attendance former Gambell Church pastor because folks were remaining Leon Ringering left behind for indoors. baptisms. During the service, a

Solomon Koonooka, Yupik folklore story was shared 23, joined in the studies and and verses from Matt. 2:11–17 also used the Native New Day and 28:18–20 and Rev. 14: 6–7 lessons. As they neared the end were read. of the series, Ina and Ila were The water wasn’t as warm convicted by the Holy Spirit as hoped, but that didn’t stop and chose to be baptized. Chris them. Tears of joy were shed reviewed the 28 Fundamental from grandmas, and a happy Beliefs of the Seventh-day atmosphere was felt by all. The Adventist Church with Ina three newest members of the and Ila, who were anxious Gambell Church found peace for baptism, and a request was in God. made for the pastor to come to Gambell. However, due Chris Koonooka, Gambell Church to regional travel restrictions elder

(From left) Ina Koonooka, Ila James, Solomon Koonooka and Chris Koonooka studied the Bible together to find peace during the pandemic.

ALASKA NEWS // CONFERENCE

DRIVE-IN

CHURCH GETS

WELCOME VISIT he dark, unfamiliar SUV pulled into the line of cars getting positioned for the start of Anchorage couple were asked how they heard about the drive-in church. Their response will forever stay with Jim: “Our T (From left) Nofo Suemai assists Anchorage Northside pastor Jim John as he baptizes new member Pollar Cheng. Northside’s drive-in church at church has been closed since the Anchorage Junior AcadeCOVID-19, and so we started The Johns motioned for them and three weddings — all my parking area. This vehicle just reading our Bibles at home to pull to the side to visit quietly broadcasted on 99.9 on Sunday mornings. We longer with them. The next 30 FM through a tiny, 7-watt had never actually read our minutes of sharing, laughing radio transmitter from atop Bibles before, and we started and praying together was a a small wooden platform on wondering why we don’t gift from God and helped a grassy hill, ringed by trees keep the seventh-day Sabbath all realize the extra work of behind the school. It serves as a holy anymore. We did some organizing drive-in church reminder of what the Lord said research and found out about paled in light of the eternal to Zerubbabel: “Not by might your drive-in church. So, here results inside the (now familiar) nor by power, but by My we are!” SUV in front of them. Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” Their short testimony The frail efforts of (Zech. 4:6, NKJV). was so unexpected. They providing a COVIDdefinitely noticed the smiles compliant venue outside Jim John, Anchorage Northside Greeters Pollar Cheng and and excitement. The line of during the beautiful Alaska Church pastor Nofoaiga Nofoilo welcome cars was growing behind this summer has seen Holy Spiritattendees to Anchorage Northside’s drive-in church. special couple and their two small children in the SUV. filled gatherings of graduations, baptisms, worship services had never seen before. Being able to quickly recognize a variety of different vehicles has become a new and developing skill set for many church leaders ministering at drive-in church services around the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Each week at the conclusion of the worship service, the pastor, Jim John, and his wife, Darla, quickly How Indigenous head to the exit to greet and encourage their church family Alaskans Await as they leave. The unfamiliar SUV slowly pulled up to the Resurrection Ryan Radio where the pair stood waiting. Read the article online at glnr.in/115-05-ak_resurrection Read the article online at glnr.in/115-05-ak_radio After introductions, the young