These past two years have been vital in assimilating int Nikiski, or as we call it “North Road” life. Though I have held the position of Drop-In Manager and Youth Pastor we have approached our ministry here as missionaries. We focused on building relationships, then adapted new training accompanied with my previous experience to serve this unique community. We have learned a new way of life.
We launched into mission service smack dab in the middle of the 2020 global shutdown, sold everything we owned and moved to Alaska on faith. Our involvement was vital in assisting The Compass through the past school year. Now after over a year of laboring with The Compass as Assistant Director. I moved to a new position where I can focus my ministry on student interaction. As well as Youth Pastor with Lighthouse Church, we are full steam ahead.
This past school year has been ripe with success and setback. We have developed relationships with the youth that are more than surface deep. They are beginning to see that we are here to stay and genuinely care for them. Teddy Roosevelt once said, "People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care".
These students are getting both. The relationships we have built come from consistently showing up, playing games, going on a hike, giving one's opinion in love and respect. This is the very nail from which everything else is hung on. It is because of the time we take to get to know who these kids are, that allows us the opportunity to speak truth...God's Truth. These students are hearing the Gospel and are being challenged in their points of view by these truths. I pray God will keep us here for years to come.
