By Bishop Joey Royal

Our diocesan theological college, Arthur Turner Training School (ATTS), has undergone a massive shift in the last six months. We’re still as committed as ever to the task of training northern people for northern ministry. What has changed is our model. We have shifted from a campus-based model, with our primary campus located in Iqaluit, to a hybrid model which combines distance education with twice-annual gatherings in hub communities.

This new version of ATTS launched in January 2023 in two hub communities – Iqaluit and Yellowknife – and is set to launch in two more hub communities in the fall, now with an Inuktitut language option. We currently have 24 students, with more lined up to join us in the fall. We’ve had to iron out a few kinks, but by any measurement this has been a massive success. Student feedback confirms our initial hunch – by bringing theological education to people in their communities, we are meeting a need that the older campus-based model was unable to fully meet. Yet, by gathering in-person, we keep that essential element of worshipping, praying, and working together side-by-side as ministers-in-formation. And, of course, all this is only possible because of God’s blessing on our work.

To keep this momentum, we need two things: Prayer and financial support.

First, prayer: we’re regularly reminded that this diocese only functions because God responds to prayer. Human ingenuity, technological innovation, and a good team have their place, but its only when God works through the prayerful action of his people that kingdom work is really done. The truth of this is constantly confirmed for all of us who minister in the Canadian Arctic. So, would you please pray for our work here? It really does make a huge difference.

Second, financial support: everything in the Canadian Arctic is expensive. Internet access costs twice as much in the North (and there aren’t yet enough satellites for StarLink to be an option for some communities), while the cost of flying to and from hub communities is many times more expensive than in the south where you can drive to the nearest town or city. Parishioners across the north are extremely generous, but these costs go beyond the amount required to operate the diocese. We’ve received grant money to help with these core costs, but like any program that is rapidly expanding, there are other costs – like realizing that our already-busy office staff won’t be able to handle the logistics of 4 simultaneous cohorts of students at once! We’re at the point where some things will need to grow exponentially if we are going to fulfill our mission. The harvest is certainly plentiful, and we’ve got a few labourers – now we’re trusting for God to use faithful members of the Body of Christ, people like you, to put the tools in the labourer’s hands!

We’re asking for help to pay off our line of credit debt, so we can stay current and move forward. Every donation is stretched, training the next generation of Arctic Christian leaders, thereby furthering the mission of Christ across this vast and beautiful land. Could you become a monthly sponsor, truly walking forward with us on this journey with God, day-by-day, month-by-month?

We depend on the support of faithful Christians around the world!
Is God calling you to partner with us today?