Church Life

Brrr-nabas Ministry

Group encourages and counsels Alaska’s secluded missionaries

Joel Caldwell was a missionary bush pilot where there aren’t many bushes—rural Alaska. But in keeping missionaries stocked with food and supplies, he noticed a constant shuffle of unfamiliar faces. “So many pastors and missionary families were leaving the field discouraged and worn out with the difficult living conditions,” he told the [Kenai] Peninsula Clarion. And short-term missions don’t work in the area, he says. “In order for someone from the outside to be effective in a village, it requires living in the area long enough to earn the right to be heard.” So now Caldwell runs Arctic Barnabas Ministries (arcticbarnabas.org), devoted wholly to encouraging and counseling about 50 Christian workers and their families across the state. “We spend a lot of time on the phone, but there’s no substitute to being there in person and bringing out pizza and fresh produce,” he says. That mission has just become a lot easier as the ministry raised funds to buy its own plane.

Copyright © 2003 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere

The Kenai Peninsula Clarion article, “New purchase has ministry flying high,” is available on its website.

The website for Arctic Barnabas Ministries offers more information on the group’s work.

Our Latest

High Time for an Honest Conversation about THC

Legal cannabis may be here to stay, but the Christian conversation is just getting started.

The National Guard Debate Needs a Dose of Honesty

Criticizing federal overreach while remaining silent about local failures does not serve the cause of justice.

News

Saudi Arabian Prison Frees Kenyan After ‘Blood Money’ Payout

A Christian mother relied on the Muslim practice of “diyat” to bring her son home alive.

Why Fans Trust Forrest Frank

The enormously popular Christian artist says he experienced miraculous healing. His parasocial friends say “amen.”

How a Missionary Family in Lebanon Produced an American Hero

Bill Eddy’s Arabic acumen served US interests and forged Middle East ties.

Eight Divine Names in One Glorious Passage

Hebrew terms for God appear across the Old Testament. The prophet Isaiah brings them all together.

The Bulletin

Venezuelan Boat Attack, Payday Loans, and USAID Fire Sale

The Bulletin discusses the attack on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat, predatory lending, and the destruction of items from cancelled USAID projects.

Why an Early American Missionary Family Was Beloved in Lebanon

Over five decades of multigenerational ministry, the Eddys pioneered health and educational outreach.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube