Fall 2024
Mekoryuk Celebrates New Church Dedication Sunday, October 6, was a day of great rejoicing in Samaritan’s Purse volunteer teams completed the 4,000Mekoryuk as the congregation gathered for the first time in square-foot facility in 16 weeks. Samaritan’s Purse Mission the newly completed church building for Sunday morning Aviation Services played a critical role from beginning to worship and Sunday School, a dedication ceremony, and an end, transporting supplies and staff/volunteers twice a week evening worship service that went well past midnight. from their base in Soldotna. On dedication Sunday, two Superintendent Curtis Ivanoff had been in conversation plane-loads of Samaritan’s Purse staff, Alaska Conference with church leaders for the past several years regarding the staff, and several people who call Mekoryuk home or who needs. On a trip to Mekoryuk in 2022, Curtis was with served in ministry there, were able to attend the dedication. Albert Williams, Anna Walters, who church member, and currently lives in Albert showed him Anchorage, served the site they had in Mekoryuk sixty selected for a new years ago and was church building. blessed to attend the Curtis inquired if dedication. Four there were plans in college students who the works that he did are currently not know about. attending the The Mekoryuk church is designed for versatility, in order to serve the congregation and community. Albert explained that University of Alaska, they were praying Anchorage, and believing that surprised friends and God would provide family by attending in time. Bea Kiokun, the dedication as Sunday School well. Ed Kiokun, leader, added later, who serves as the “We have ‘faith like church chairman Samson Westin, of Mekoryuk shares opening Elder Esther Shavings and granddaughter potatoes,’” referring and serves on the words and recounts Gods faithfulness. Melanie Shavings enjoy the service together. to a Pure Flix movie Alaska Conference based on a true story executive board of a rugged South African farmer, Angus Buchan. Curtis was expressed that as youth, they were part of the prayer inspired by the faith of the believers, and joined in prayer movement and offerings that were taken in Sunday School with the congregation. for the church project. It was important for them to be there In June of 2023, Curtis was headed to Covenant Bible to experience the celebration of God’s provision. Camp, and while waiting in the Ravn Airlines terminal, The well-insulated church features a sanctuary, fellowship crossed paths with Luther Harrison, Samaritan’s Purse hall, kitchen, pastor’s office, three dedicated classrooms, North American Director. As they talked, Curtis shared the ramp entry, and more. Built on a Triodetic foundation to need for a new church with Luther, and he encouraged withstand the yearly freeze and thaw, the church was built to Curtis to have the Mekoryuk leadership submit a proposal. last 100 years. More than 200 Samaritan’s Purse volunteers Within just a few weeks, the proposal was accepted, and from 26 states, including Mekoryuk residents, built the conversations began for specifics of the project that would church that lies at the edge of the Native Village of begin in June of 2024. (Continued on page 6) From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16