Give Encouragement Today!
Your partnership in this vital ministry is needed now! Help us strengthen & encourage pastor and missionary families in the Arctic.
Our Mission
The mission of Arctic Barnabas Ministries is to
strengthen and encourage pastor and missionary families
to effectively advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ
throughout remote Alaska!
“I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.”
ROMANS 1:11-12
Why Arctic Barnabas?
Arctic Barnabas Ministries has a deep love for the Native peoples of Alaska and throughout the Arctic – from the Inupiaq in the north, the Cup'ik and Yup'ik in the west, the Aleuts down the Aleutian Island chain, the Alutiiq in southcentral, the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian in the southeast, and the Athabascans in the interior. We are committed to help advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ to these people groups.
Although some have relocated themselves to larger cities on the road system, many still live in remote communities across the arctic region. There are nearly 225 remote villages in Alaska. We estimate less than 100 have any established evangelical church, pastor, or missionary presence. Many have no followers of Jesus Christ.
Although missionaries and church planters have been in Alaska since the late 1800's, we do not see well established indiginous evangelical churches who are multiplying themselves and reaching across racial and historical barriers to share the Gospel with one another. As a result, numerous Christian organizations continue to send pastors and missionaries to live among the people and share the love of Jesus Christ. Locals often look to their village pastor or missionary family for love, counsel, and spiritual direction. The whole family is instrumental in sharing Christ to all ages.
Unfortunately, these humble servants are often unprepared, under-supported, and overwhelmed by the spiritual and physical challenges present in the remote villages.
In addition, cross-cultural barriers, isolation, extreme weather, inadequate housing, high cost of living, and visible spiritual warfare bombard these courageous servants. All too often, they grieve deaths of local friends caused by suicide, alcoholism, abuse, and tragic accidents.
Men find themselves working 8-10 hour days on physical labor to keep up with maintenance, heating, subsistence, and basic survival needs. Women and children sometimes feel isolated and long for fellowship with peers who understand. Yes, it is very tough out there! Burnout knocks at the door.
We believe vitality of pastors and missionary families in a village is critically important for the development of a healthy indigenous Church. Therefore, they need encouragement from mature followers of Christ to help maintain spiritual, emotional, and physical health for as long as they serve the village.
Although sending organizations make efforts to care for their ministry personnel, many have asked Arctic Barnabas Ministries to come along side and help fill the gaps. We are passionate to that end!
Producing Lasting Fruit...
Jesus commanded us in John chapter 15:
“I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.”
Later, the Apostle Paul expressed to the Christians in Rome that he longed to visit them face-to-face. He goes on to say,
“...so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I want to be encouraged by yours...I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit.” (Romans 1:11-12,13b)
We know that encouragement goes a long way to lift another person. But
more than that, it serves as a powerful conduit to strengthen the soul.
Pastors and missionaries are God’s spokesman, planting seeds and
harvesting the crop. They are important servants of God who produce
lasting fruit in God’s Kingdom. We are compelled by Jesus’ command to
love these special families with every form of care we can deliver! The
result is spiritual, emotional, and physical strength. And strong
Christian leaders in the village communities leads to lasting fruit,
transformation of individual lives through the power of relationship
with Jesus Christ.
