By Bishop David Parsons

First, we need a full measure of faith in Jesus – the Bread of Life and the Living Water. He has called us to be His disciples who do not turn back. As the church, we need to know that God loves the world and still loves the world. People are hungry to understanding the mysteries of life. They want to know why they are here. John 6:66 tells us that many will turn back, but those who have come to Jesus in faith know there is none other who has the Words of life.

Second, we need to mix and knead ourselves into unity about our God-given purpose. The Bible tells us why we are here. Jesus said “just as the Father sent me, so I send you.” Our Diocesan mission statement keeps us on track: we are to be partners with Jesus in proclaiming His Gospel and partners with the Holy Spirit in training and enabling Northern people for ministry. We want to help people meet Jesus and walk together with them as we live in relationship with Jesus. As the Bread of Life, the hungry will find their questions and longings satisfied in Jesus, just as their thirst to understand life’s mysteries can only be quenched by that living water.

Third, we need to multiply, letting the yeast do it’s work until we’ve doubled or tripled in size. Jesus said “make disciples”, so we are training as many people as we can! We have a Director of Training, a new ATTS instructor, an Executive Archdeacon, a Financial Officer plus the staff they need, and a new Youth Coordinator. We are recruiting clergy and training others to join us. Recently we flew a group of clergy to Yellowknife for further training to help parishes with their mental health. These clergy piggy-backed on the deacons training that has taken off in unexpected ways!

Fourth, we need to break the bread and share it. Local parishes are bearing fruit in new ways as we develop and implement the resources that are asking for. We are developing partnerships with other ministries, prayer intercessors, and financial investors big and small, willing to take God at His Word: don’t hide what He’s given you in the ground, invest it so that it bears fruit! And when you’re looking for a God-pleasing investment, consider the Arctic! As romantic as it is to think we still live in Igloos and travel by dog team, we now face the challenges of a modern Arctic. We fly in 737s where fuel, food and building supplies are among the most expensive in the world, and we still survive, and we still follow Jesus, depending on Him as our daily bread. In recent years three congregations outgrew their churches so they raised the money and built new ones. We need more churches and houses for our clergy.

Do you believe that the Diocese of The Arctic has proven to be a faithful and worthy of your financial investment and ongoing prayer support? The missing ingredient is you!

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