Yesterday I sat with Rev. Loasie Kuniliusee. He told me, “When speaking to Inuit they just want to hear what comes from the Bible. They know what the Bible says, so only speak from the Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.” Wise words from a seasoned minister.

The night before we had a retirement celebration for Loasie’s many years of ministry. Is Loasie thinking about putting his bible in a drawer, sitting back, and putting his feet up? Not at all!

Loasie said that he has a real sense  that God wants to  continue using him in a traveling ministry. In fact, many Arctic communities have asked Loasie to come to their community and minister in the power of the Holy Spirit. As Loasie shared he said he believes God wants to do greater things.

I have heard this expectation from many across the Arctic. For example, a couple days ago people from the Full Gospel church told me they are seeking funds to build a new Anglican Rectory so that the Diocese of The Arctic could place an Anglican minister in Qikiqtarjuaq. A couple years ago a couple from a Pentecostal church met with me to share their vision to build a new Anglican Church in their community. They have since formed an Anglican vestry with plans to bring they vision to fruition. A few years ago one of our ministers had been praying for a larger church. Then one morning she heard God say, “I have heard your prayer. Later this morning someone will be calling to give you money to build your church. I will use people from Glad Tidings to build your church.” And that is how the new church was built in that community.

One may ask why are other denominations wanting to support and extend the ministry of Anglicans? I have asked the same question. This I know, our Christian denominations need to work together to preach the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit, and with the guidance of God the Holy Spirit we need teach the Bible story. We need use our different areas of expertise to help each other. 

Let me use this analogy to explain.

In building a house, few are a jack of all trades. An excellent house is built when skilled trades people work together to build a house fit to live in. One lays a foundation, another builds a floor upon the foundation, one frames the walls for experienced plumbers to install the water system then trained electricians do the wiring, next comes the drywallers, painters, roofers, siding installers and… voila, a house! I thank God our diocese has this cooperative mindset, and I thank God that our brothers and sisters from other denominations wish to help us. Likewise we pray for God’s blessings upon their ministries.

Our Diocese has a great team of administration, financial experts, and educators who have been building partnerships, expanding our training team to teach many who are now enrolled with ATTS. As the Diocesan bishop, my part on the team is to travel, distribute and help parishes understand and implement the resources our Administration, Financial and Education committees have developed. I wish the whole team could travel with me and witness the life and ministry within our parishes. What a fantastic diocese we have, and after more than 100 years of ministry the clergy of the Diocese of The Arctic are well respected.

Yes, we have a lot of work to do. Most of the second generation of clergy have died, and another generation is retiring. Parishes are eagerly awaiting replacements as we are diligently training a new generation.

I believe Loasie is right. Even though he has retired (and my own retirement is just over a year away), it is not quitting time. God is at work and we have a sense that new ministry doors are opening. Join us in prayer for this next generation of Arctic clergy – and if the Lord calls you, please support the costly work of running our own training college without any government support or charging tuition to those who are coming forward for ministry training.

People are spiritually hungry, and the time to act is now. As Loasie said, “They do not need our thoughts and ideas, people want to hear the pure word of God shared in the power of the Holy Spirit.” Help us as we send more labourers into the vineyard, for the field is ripe for harvest. Amen!

Enjoying a bowl of Muktuk soup with Rev. Loasie Kuniliusee. The pictures are up in Auyuittuq National Park near Qikiqtarjuaq on Baffin Island. Trip of a lifetime.

– Bishop David Parsons