Spring Into Summer 2025
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all…” Phil 1:3-4
What better way to start our June ministry update! If YOU are reading this then YOU have been a part of our life, our journey, and likely our ministries! THANK you. We trust you are encouraged as you see all God does through you, and hear of things He has been accomplishing in Alaska!
We enjoyed visiting our Arizona church partners and as many individuals as possible in March. We arrived home just in time for me (Jill) to step in and assist with the final plans for an InterAct-led Women’s Retreat on our Campus and Field office. The InterAct planning team did a fantastic job coordinating everything from the meals to worship and the Word. We were so blessed to have about 35 women, mostly Alaska Native, from about eight different communities, gather to focus on how God matures and grows us through His Word. I appreciated the opportunity to share two of the sessions and we enjoyed prayer and fellowship times together. We were told they cannot wait until the fall Women’s Retreat!
The rest of our spring has been filled with some amazing meetings! First, we have continued the joy of meeting regularly with our missionaries. We are always blessed as we encourage one another, pray, and strategize together! What an honor to be able to speak into the lives of those serving our Lord all over Alaska.
We also have the privilege of meeting together with InterAct leadership. Steve regularly joins in these meetings but we were so encouraged to have the Executive Leadership Team and spouses all gather on our Campus in May for a week of Retreat! Planning, brainstorming, discussing, praying, and fellowshipping together was a joy for each of us! We were so thankful to have been a part of this amazing group of godly leaders serving in Siberia, Canada, the Home Office, or here in Alaska. And…it was just fun. We love these people!
Now we turn our attention to the summer! We look forward to several ministry work teams helping on our Campus and at our annual conference. Two weeks from now, our summer EnGage! Alaska interns arrive for training and ministry placement. We have several staff visits planned and look forward to the fellowship and support we can provide. We also started the Onboarding process for a new staff couple, adding to our many blessings in leadership. As we review our primary roles, we are continually reminded that everything we do, our very ministry, cannot be accomplished without God’s work. His work in calling missionaries to serve in rugged and remote locations, His work in helping us equip and support them in their church planting ministries, and of course, only God can work in the hearts of the dear people we are called to serve.
We look forward to our August Conference. If everything goes as planned, the Field Director’s position will be passed from Steve to Mark. Steve will continue providing support even as we take some time away from the Field.
Serving in Partnership with You in Alaska!
Steve & Jill