For those of you who may have somehow slipped through the cracks of my email and facebook lists, I thought I’d post this little letter up here as well. This is my humble plea that some of you might be willing to get on board with me this year and help me out in whatever way you are able. I’d be honored if you’d give it a read-through. Thanks!
Dear friends,
Well, the summer is certainly flying by. Here we are, approaching mid-July and I am already confronted with my imminent return to Alaska in just a few weeks. During this summer break, I have had the opportunity to do some traveling to California and Minnesota to see friends and family, to do some backpacking in the mountains, to linger over long morning cups-o-coffee and books, and to do some much-needed refreshing and preparation for the coming school year at Alaska Christian College.
As many of you know either from my emails or from personal conversations, at the end of this last year in Alaska, I came to the conclusion that my time in Alaska was simply incomplete, that God was not finished with me in this place. And so, I decided to return to this ministry for a second year, taking on the role of interim Campus Pastor in addition to my teaching. This is a position that will certainly challenge and stretch me as I seek to help guide and lead the students and the rest of the staff in worship and spiritual life.
The challenges of ministry at ACC are quite significant. As many of you may be aware from previous emails, the Alaska Native community which composes the bulk of our student body has some deep-seeded issues. I do not believe that I am at all exaggerating when I say that probably 75% of our students have experienced physical or sexual abuse in the past; that 75% of our students have dealt with alcoholism, either in their parents or in themselves; that probably every single one of our students has had a close friend or family member commit suicide.
As campus pastor, it is my responsibility to choose a “theme” for the year and the theme that I am leaning towards is the idea of transformation. Because it is only through the fundamentally transformational power of Jesus Christ that I believe these problems can be addressed; it is only as we allow Christ to metamorphose (yeah, I looked it up…that’s the correct form of that word…) our lives that we can address our deepest hurts and find a more abundant life. This is what I desire my students to see this year: that Jesus Christ changes, transforms everything…here and now, not just in the future.
Many of you helped to support me during this last year, through your prayers, your encouragement, and your money. I am truly grateful to all of you and I could not have served during this past year without you. But I am writing to request, once again, that you would consider partnering with me; I am asking that you would, once again, send me to serve God and God’s Kingdom. I have spent a good deal of my summer speaking with churches and individuals about helping me out and that has led to some good success. Approximately 65% of my financial need has already been committed with some more perhaps on the way. But now, I am coming to you to ask if you might help me to fill in the gap. As I’ve said before, our friendship is in no way contingent on whether you are able to offer me financial support, but if God has blessed you with the ability, I would ask you to consider giving out of your abundance to help me serve at ACC.
Additionally, this year promises to be very busy and very full. In addition to teaching two and a half classes in the Fall, two to three classes in the spring, and serving as Campus Pastor, I have plans to be applying to doctoral programs (which also means I have to start learning German!), serving at The River Covenant Church, and helping to coach a masters cross-country ski program. I could sure use your prayers as I try to juggle this all and for wisdom and discernment as I go through the process of seeking out further education and opportunities to serve the Kingdom of God.
Thanks to all of you for your time and for doing me the honor of reading through this. Again, I would truly appreciate whatever support you might be able to offer.
Grace and peace,
Luke
If you are able to donate to support my ministry, please send a check to Community Covenant Church (with my name in the memo line) at P.O. Box 919, Twisp, WA 98856. Thanks again.