Students join St. John Lutheran Church on Alaskan mission trip

Students from Concordia University, Nebraska joined St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, Nebraska, from June 19–29, 2015, on the church’s sixth annual mission trip to Akiachak, Alaska, a remote Yupik village along the Kuskokwim River.

“This coming together of two cultures truly shows us that no matter who we are or where we are, we are one family in Christ,” said senior Montana Hayes. “To be able to show love to our brothers and sisters who are far away and be shown love by them reminds everyone involved that God's love knows no bounds.”

The team taught Bible stories, led songs, explained crafts and handed out snacks to the children in the village during daily Bible camp. In the evenings, the team led basketball camps and open gym nights for children and youth. Other activities in the evening included jumping rope, hula hooping, floor bowling, face painting and coloring to keep children engaged and active.

“Going to Alaska with St. John has truly changed my life,” said senior Amanda Abbott. “The people of Akiachak taught me so much about trusting in God and knowing that He will always provide. They are also so thankful that we come to them to share the love of Christ with their village and church. I have made relationships with people in Akiachak that I will cherish forever.”

The trip served nearly 170 children in the small Alaskan village, with a population of 600 people who use hunting and fishing for their main food source.

The team has worked to gain the approval of the village elders and serves under the guidance of Alaska Mission for Christ, a ministry arm of the Pacific Northwest District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Alaska Mission for Christ is governed by a small staff guided by a representative from each LCMS congregation in the state. 

Every year, approximately 400 volunteers coordinated by Alaska Mission for Christ travel to Alaska to present Bible and sports camps and to perform building projects throughout the state.

Last fall, Alaska Mission for Christ elected Jan Bruick, a member of St. John Lutheran Church and staff member at Concordia University, Nebraska, to be a member of its board of directors and represent all mission teams to southwest Alaska. Alaska Mission for Christ seeks to facilitate a bold witness to Jesus Christ in every community in Alaska.

Participants on the trip included (alphabetical by last name; includes class based on 2014-15 academic year):

• Abigail Connick, senior, Salida, Calif.
• Rachel Dahlke, senior, Everett, Wash.
• Clyde Ericson, sophomore, Osceola, Neb.
• Jen Fruend, assistant science professor at Concordia
• Carly (Stokebrand) Fritz, Concordia alumna, Olivet, South Dakota
• Emily Hayes, freshman, Superior, Neb.
• Montana Hayes, senior, Superior, Neb.
• Justin Kathman, senior, Juniata, Neb.
• Elizabeth Keane, freshman, Las Vegas, Nev.
• Randy Luffberry, Alaska Mission for Christ board member, Anchorage, Alaska
• Mike Meyer, member of St. John Lutheran Church
• Bill and Pam Peters, members of St. John Lutheran Church trip leaders
• Austin Van Velson, member of St. John Lutheran Church