SEND North's Logistics and Support Team is located in Anchorage, Alaska. Anchorage is the largest city above the 60th parallel on the North American Continent. It is the hub for Alaska because nearly everything comes and goes through this city. Many people do not know that Anchorage also has three of the most ethnically diverse public high schools in the USA. There are over 100 languages spoken in the school district, (read more in this article). Anchorage is also a final destination of many refugees (more in this article). Maybe it seems odd that we headquarter in a big city when we serve those in the remote Far North. Well, there is a story about that; a story about change. As you know change is not always easy. For over 70 years SEND North was headquartered in the little town of Glennallen, Alaska. We were over a
Maybe it seems odd that we headquarter in a big city when we serve those in the remote Far North. Well, there is a story about that; a story about change.
As you know change is not always easy. For over 70 years SEND North was headquartered in the little town of Glennallen, Alaska. We were over a four-hour drive from the big city and that it was a good fit. We ministered remotely so the leadership also lived in a remote town on the road system. This town was just a stone's throw from where it all started for us in Copper Center. In fact, our founder, Vince Joy, is buried in Glennallen. We started three other ministries in that town which had all become independent. SEND North was a big part of that community! So, you can imagine the stress and resistance people had when leadership started talking about moving the headquarters to the big city of Anchorage, Alaska.
The community didn't want to see us leave. Our teammates wondered, "How can we handle the increased cost, and would big city living take leadership away from our rural roots?" Even some of our supporters struggled with it, "How can you be a 'missionary' living in a big city?" However, it was becoming increasingly obvious that a change in location was necessary.
The fact was our church planting outreach was growing and spreading out in all directions. At the time we had over 1,000 miles separating our two furthest teams (that number is now over 1,600 miles). Our team members regularly flew into anchorage for a multitude of reasons. Being four hours away, we were missing out on valuable communication opportunities. We were relatively unknown to the Christian community in Alaska despite our many years of service. For these and many other reasons, in the Fall of 2010 we started the moving process for our ministry offices. It was one of the best decisions the leadership ever made.
We now daily see the fruit of that decision. We have consistent face to face visits with our teammates. We are making key ministry networking connections in Anchorage. Our L&S team is growing in order to keep up with the expanding opportunities and our expanding team. Besides all of this, we are finding many local ministry opportunities for the L&S Team. Ministry this far north in this diverse city really does touch the whole world! So please be in prayer for the L&S team as we serve the SEND North team. Pray for focus, productivity, wisdom, and joy through it all.
