Winter 2014
Ministry Leaders Encouraged in âRunning Strongâ at Annual Retreat Dee Dee Jonrowe Inspires While Sharing Her Home and Heart With Group More than 40 pastors and ministry leaders were encouraged in âRunning Strong: Healthy, Enduring Ministryâ at the ECCAK Pastor and Leader Retreat held in Big Lake in late September. An excursion to renown Iditarod musher Dee Dee Jonroweâs kennel and home was one part of the retreat designed to encourage and refresh ministry leadership. Seminars on sustaining a healthy marriage and dealing with disappointment and adversity, as well as late night board games and afternoon hikes were also included. Curtis Ivanoff, field director, planned the retreat with room for personal rest, reflection, worship, prayer, sharing, fun and meaningful connecting with each other. Dick Lucco, ECC executive director of ministry development, was the keynote speaker for three sessions, and he shared about spiritual practices that enhance longevity in personal growth and ministry. "Dick Lucco gave practical advice on how to maintain a healthy, enduring ministry,â explained Elim pastor Bob Curtis. âHis transparency allowed us to let our guard down to meet one another right where we are at and to encourage one another along our journey. For that I am thankful." Curtis shared, âAs we sat in Dee Deeâs living room and listened to someone who has faced professional obstacles, health setbacks, and intense grief from loss and hardship, we were encouraged to press on in our own trials and also reminded how to be present to others as ministers of Christâs compassion. It was inspiring to hear her testimony and stories that encouraged us to be people who persevere and endure.â The annual retreat has been held in various locations over the years. Camp Maranatha in Big Lake was the venue for this yearâs gathering due to its relative proximity to Anchorage and also for the lodging facilities that is more inviting for spouses and families to attend. âFor our family, the retreat was marked by refreshing fellowship, meaningful worship, solid teaching, good food, needed respite and quiet in a beautiful setting. We are thankful to God and ECCAK,â Nick Bruckner explained. Nickâs wife Nikki and new son Jack attended, along with other
ministerâs spouses and children from rural Alaska and road-system churches alike. âI hope to see more ministry families take part in future retreats, and I would encourage churches to consider budgeting funds to send not only their ministry staff, but also spouses as well.â Curtis explained. âAnyone in ministry knows that family members sacrifice in unique ways due to the nature of ministry. I hope to see this retreat develop as a way that ministry families can be encouraged together.â Many express desire for greater collaborative ministry connection and encouragement between rural and road-system churches, hence small group sharing, free time fun and corporate worship together helped unite the pastors together. Eagle River Community Covenantâs pastor Todd Michero is a relative newcomer to ECCAK and attended the retreat for the first time. âThe retreat left me feeling excited about Community Covenantâs part in the greater ministry of ECCAK. My connection to Godâs work in Western Alaska was strengthened by spending time with village pastors and CYAK staff members.â CYAK staff as well as two young adults who are emerging leaders participated and added depth to the groupâs representation. Dave Rurik of Anchorage said, âAs a member of CYAK staff, this retreat is an excellent opportunity for
connections to be made with churches around the state who are launching into caring for their youth. I think it is a really critical time for encouragement and a place where the sense of 'team' is elevated.â âWe have continued to invite young adults and youth to be integral parts of fellowship together and ministry visioning,â Byron Bruckner said. âWe pray that our churches will also recognize the necessity of involving the new generation in todayâs church life in consistent and meaningful ways.â The last gathering time of the retreat concluded with sharing communion together and reflecting on Godâs grace that sustains the body as the head of the church.
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