“North to Alaska! We go north! The rush is on!”
This summer, the IBCS Ministry Team will open a new recruiting field by traveling to Alaska, where they will spend five weeks ministering to churches and Christian camps. Because of the distance, the travel logistics are complicated. “Flying with the Ministry Team poses its own set of issues,” observed Pastor Larry Ball, who will lead this northern outreach. “We are used to cramming everything tightly into a large van—musical instruments, a case of hand chimes, music folders, music stands, instrument stands, literature for the display table, plus personal items like clothes and books. There’s just so much stuff! We praise the Lord that the team will be able to borrow cellos in Alaska. Bringing two cellos on an airplane would have been difficult!”
Though the location is different from past Ministry Team tours, the purpose is the same: The Ministry Team prepares all semester to present an inspirational church service that will encourage and challenge fellow believers. This summer, in their program entitled “Perfect Love,” they tell the story of George Matheson, a pastor from Glasgow, Scotland, who, because of difficult personal circumstances, wrote the hymn “O Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go.” The team’s story uses Matheson’s hymn, as well as the familiar favorites “And Can It Be” and “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship,” along with new songs such as “My Father’s Love” and Dan Forrest’s “Anthems of Love” to craft a special program for edification and ministry.
A unique feature of an IBCS Ministry Team is that they help the church join together to praise the Lord. Using strings, chimes, and piano, the team will lead congregational worship in a way that is fresh and exciting as well as familiar and conservative. Pastor Dave Stertzbach, the IBCS team's music director, noted: “As a church music pastor myself, I am always thinking beyond a mere performance of some pretty songs by asking myself, ‘What would be an encouragement to my church family? What spiritual challenge do my people need?’”
The Ministry Team doesn’t just perform; each team member prepares Bible challenges, personal testimonies, missionary stories, children’s Bible lessons, youth group games and activities, and lots of extra music so that they are prepared for whatever ministry opportunity arises. Tiffany Moffitt, the team music leader, has travelled with the college for three years. Reflecting on past trips, she mentioned, “We have ministered in youth groups, community events, nursing homes, Christian camps, and even private homes of church members. You just never know where the Lord is going to use us. We try to have a perfect song for every occasion-- whether it is an a cappella song for a Fourth of July picnic, or a meditative violin solo for a prayer meeting, or an exciting call to worship to begin a church service.”
Freshman Laredo Craven is excited to travel with the team and to spend some time in his home church in Soldotna, Alaska. Pastor Scott Olson, IBCS Director of Mentoring and Recruitment, coordinates the team’s travel itinerary and logistics. He exclaimed, “I thought maybe we would spend a week or two in Alaska. What a blessing that the Lord has kept sending us ministry opportunities! We will spend several weeks here in the Valley ministering to local area churches. But most of our trip will be in a place I never dreamed we’d end up: Alaska!” Praise the Lord!
To the North!