So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing," for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.”
Genesis 16:13 (ESV)
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Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for all of your support and prayers for Arctic Barnabas Ministries and the work we do to strengthen and encourage pastors and missionaries in remote Alaska!
This edition of The Arctic Encourager reminds us all of the importance of being seen. Whether it is on a ministry trip, within our office, or elsewhere, feeling seen is essential to the ministry families we serve, to us, and to each of you. All of us want to be seen and known. Fortunately, our God is the God who sees us (Genesis 16:13) and we can each rest in the knowledge that He really does care and He really does see us.
The team here at ABM gets the unique opportunity of reminding each other and the ministry families we serve of that very fact...all so the families we serve can tell others about the God who sees them, cares for them, and made a way for them to fellowship with Him. We hope you enjoy this edition!
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Isolation is one of the greatest challenges of ministry in remote Alaska. More than the cold, long winters, supply shortages, mosquitoes, or dangerous wildlife, the ministry families we serve consistently tell us that loneliness is the hardest part.
That's why Arctic Barnabas is, first and foremost, a relational ministry. Our desire is to build lasting friendships with these precious families so we can encourage and support them in their unique season of need. As Paul wrote in Romans 1:11-12, “I long to see you...that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.” One of the best ways to provide that encouragement is by visiting them in person in their remote village. With only 18% of Alaska accessible by road, those visits require traveling hundreds of miles by airplane.
In April, a team from a church in Missouri joined Arctic Barnabas for a week of "village hopping," where we fly out to a remote part of the state, and each day visit a new ministry family in a different village. Packed into a small airplane, the five of us traveled to six remote bush villages, spending meaningful time with ministry families. Each visit provided opportunities to encourage, pray together, and remind them they are not serving alone.
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On the 22nd of May, the Arctic Barnabas Ministries team held a ceremonial groundbreaking for our new missionary retreat home in Homer, Alaska. This home will provide a permanent, ministry-owned, place of rest and refreshment for the ministry families we serve. Along with the home of one of our Associate families in Homer, it will double our capacity to host ministry families and give them a place to rest and renew.
As we held the groundbreaking ceremony, we reflected on the first verse of Psalm 127, where Solomon reminds us that “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” (ESV) We prayed that day, and we continue to pray now, “Oh Lord, let us not labor in vain.” Would you join us in praying the Lord builds this house and does with it only what He can do? Already He has provided for it in ways that simply defy explanation, repeatedly showing it is His house to build and use.
Within a week of the groundbreaking ceremony, we physically broke ground and now a driveway is in, the lot cleared, a basement dug, and most recently we saw framing and a roof go up! It is amazing to see how the Lord provided and how quickly things are happening now that the ground has thawed, and construction season has begun.
With the walls and roof up, the structure is really taking shape. Please continue to pray for the safety of everyone involved, and that the Lord will build this house to be just what He wants it to be. Thank you!
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This year, Arctic Barnabas Ministries celebrates Linda Flamm’s 9th anniversary of serving missionaries, pastors, and ministry leaders throughout Alaska.
Over the past decade, Linda has become a trusted and encouraging presence within ABM. Her heart for people, servant leadership, and unwavering commitment to Christ have made her an indispensable part of our ministry. Whether coordinating ministry events, caring for missionaries, supporting volunteers, handling countless behind-the-scenes details, or mentoring the ABM staff, Linda serves with grace, excellence, and genuine compassion.
Linda was initially ABM’s Refresh Coordinator, helping create opportunities for rest, renewal, connection, and growth. Her work included supporting retreat ministries, ministry family gatherings, and other areas where pastors, missionaries, and their families could step away from daily pressures and be strengthened for the work God had called them to do.
Linda now serves as Assistant Director of Ministry. In this role, she helps provide leadership for many of ABM’s ministry initiatives while continuing to support the pastors, missionaries, and Christian workers who faithfully serve in some of Alaska’s most remote communities.
Those who know Linda appreciate her calm spirit, thoughtful wisdom, and willingness to step in wherever help is needed. She has a unique gift for making people feel seen, valued, and encouraged; qualities that beautifully reflect the heart of Arctic Barnabas Ministries. These same qualities make her a valuable mentor to the entire ABM staff.
We thank the Lord for Linda’s faithful service, her servant’s heart, and the countless ways she has strengthened and encouraged those who minister across Alaska!
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
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Terry and Kyrstie DePue arrived in Eagle Alaska in 1997 with their 3-month-old child. Six children, and 29 years later, they are still serving in that remote community to which God called them.
Both Terry and Krystie say that longevity is key to ministry in Alaska. Krystie states, “The first three years are hard, the next two are even harder, but don’t give up. Satan does not want longevity. If God calls you, you are enough.” Terry says that their family is part of their ministry. He says, “A nuclear functioning family is basically non-existent, and a functioning marriage and family are an example to the community.”
The DePue’s mentioned that it’s a struggle to be far from their extended family. The travel to get to family events is costly and hard. The church family and ABM have become a form of extended family for them. They said that ABM has walked and prayed beside them through what Krystie calls their three ‘F’s”: fire, flood and foster kids.
ABM has been part of their support system. The DePue’s believe that those who give and or volunteer at ABM affect their family and ministry too. Krystie says, “It may seem a small thing to those who give and help ABM, but to those of us who are living and serving in remote Alaska, it’s like a full-grown flowering bush. It’s what helps us with longevity.”
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This year, we are encouraged and blessed by the addition of a hospitality house to our ministry’s ability to serve pastor and missionary families. Each detail of the “Barnabas House,” small and large, was directly given by His bountiful hand, providing us a brand new, three bedroom home in our local area. A reality of living and serving in remote Alaska, without many resources in small villages, is the need to travel away for medical appointments, supply buying, travel connections, or times of focused attention away from direct ministry work. The Barnabas House provides a comfortable space for these families to find rest, and a home away from home, while meeting these needs.
Recently, a ministry family was encouraged by their week long stay in the Barnabas House. After ABM flew them into town, they were provided a vehicle and found their “home away from home” as we hosted their special time together. One of their children mentioned, “I look forward to just walking around Walmart”. Even small things, like hosting a ministry family while outside their “normal” environment, can help encourage and strengthen the gospel work in their village.
Another family stayed at the Barnabas House while awaiting the arrival of their newborn. Having the freedom to fly out of their village, and be only a short drive from the hospital meant so much to them. After about a week, their newest little girl made her entrance into the world, allowing them to return to their village.
The addition of a hospitality house will continue to bless and encourage families serving in remote village ministry for years to come. Oh, how our God loves to bless his children abundantly!
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- Praise that Ben & Laura Leggott arrived in Alaska!
- Pray for ABM staff, pastors & missionary families during a busy summer season.
- Praise for Austin & Evangela Brumfield being 100% funded and preparing to relocate to Alaska!
- Pray for the Homer Missionary Retreat house building project.
- Praise for the Barnabas House addition to our ministry!
- Pray for smooth onboarding of ABM staff in transition.
- Praise for MFR volunteers willing to serve & ministry families & pastors excited to attend!
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