Nunavut
Is it possible that there is still a place untouched by the technology and pace of the modern world? Does the idea of living and ministering in such a place fill your heart with faith-filled excitement? In Nunavut, Canada, such a place exists. Nunavut is the northernmost part of Canada which is divided into three regions: Qikiqtaaluk, Kivalliq, and Kitikmeot. Though fairly uninhabited, the population is approximately 36,000, and the land spans a little over 805,000 square miles.
The First Nations population in Nunavut are known as the Inuit people. They have a rich history of foreign visitors, including Norse Vikings, European explorers, and Americans, though the majority of the population is First Nationers. Originally, Nunavut was a part of the Northwest Territories, but it became its territory for the Inuit people officially in 1999. Though the Inuit are the primary people group in the area, they have four distinct languages spoken in the region.
Similar to Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Alaskan villages, Nunavut culture is centralized on respect: respect for elders, culture, and the land. Even with the recent tourism development in the area, most of Nunavut remains true to its history, living almost entirely subsistence-reliant lifestyles with minimal modern technology. They maintain a hunting and gathering food supply and work hard to preserve their heritage for future generations.
Because of the location of Nunavut, they experience the most significant variance in their seasonal exposure to the sun. Grise Fiord, on Ellesmere Island, has 24 hours of sun from mid-April to late August! However, in the winter, Grise Fiord does not see the sun from the start of November to mid-February. This is just one example of how extreme the climate can be in this rural land.
Often, the ground is too frozen for too much of the year that their community piping must operate above ground in the most rural locations. In fact, the community above, Grise Fiord, is nicknamed “the land that never thaws.” Further, there are no highways in Nunavut, and rarely any roads that connect one community to another. Within many of the communities, the English alphabet we are familiar with is used, but so is a syllabic system brought to the native people from Christian missionaries.
Nunavut is a cultural haven for history and heritage. At SEND North, we are seeking to spread the Gospel to this area. We have team members in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon, but none in Nunavut at this time. We hope that we will not only find the right opportunities to enter the region, but also the right people to work through us in the area. If life in one of the world’s most beautiful, untouched, and extreme places interests you, click here
for ways you can be involved!
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Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
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