Far North

John Halsey, Far North Director

Stretching across the most northern part of the Western Hemisphere lies the area known as the Far North. The Far North is composed of some of the most beautiful landscapes of the world: from Alaska, the Last Frontier, to Canada, the second largest country in the world by area, to Greenland, the largest island in the world, to Iceland, the land of frost and fire. Scattered across this vast landscape are the souls of 32 million people. From the very earliest days of BIMI’s forty-year history, the spiritual needs of the Far North have been recognized and addressed. The first pioneer missionaries of BIMI came to the Far North in the mid-1960’s. Since then, scores of missionaries have followed in their footsteps.

Alaska is the largest of the fifty states by area. It has the smallest population but the fastest growth rate. Because commercial fishing, logging, and mining are main vocations in Alaska, many communities are in isolated areas. From urban areas such as Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau to arctic outposts such Point Barrow, the population is scattered across this expansive land. Many coves and inlets along the Pacific Ocean contain small isolated fishing communities. At the end of logging and mining roads are small communities of people. In addition, the terrain of Alaska makes travel very difficult. These and other factors make the task of church planting extremely complicated.

 Even though there is a strong network of independent Baptist churches scattered throughout this state, Alaska remains one of the most unevangelized of all the fifty states. Presently, the missionary force is small and the needs are large. Hundreds of Alaskan communities are without a Gospel preaching church.

 One of the newest and most exciting ministries of BIMI in southeast Alaska is the beginning of a circuit boat ministry. Southeast Alaska, Alaska’s Panhandle, is roughly the size of the state of Tennessee. One of the things that makes this area of the United States so unique is that there is no road system connecting one town to another. There are sixty-one communities in Southeast Alaska, most with small populations. Only nine of these communities have a Gospel preaching church that cares for their souls and is trying to reach their population. A seaworthy vessel has been acquired and the navigational training has begun. Veteran missionary Andy Hall will be heading up this new work as a ministry of Lighthouse Baptist Church. Brother Hall planted this church in the capital city of Juneau.

Canada is a great expanse of land stretching from British Columbia on the Pacific Ocean to Newfoundland on the Atlantic Ocean. The Canadian people are a mosaic of many nations and peoples, often retaining much of their original culture and customs. The spiritual needs of Canada are tremendous. Roman Catholicism and the United Church have predominance. Nominalism, non-biblical theology, and a neglect of evangelism is common. Only about half of all Canadians have any real church affiliation. The unreached peoples of Canada are many: French Canadians, native Indians, Eskimos, Asian Indians, Arabic speaking peoples, Greeks, Italians and Portuguese. The largest Asian population outside of Asia resides in Vancouver, British Columbia. Two-thirds of Canada’s entire population lie in the Windsor-Montreal corridor. Canada is one of the most multi-cultural countries in the world.

 There is a great spirit of cooperation among the Independent Baptists of Canada when it involves the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Canadian independent Baptist churches have become a dynamic force in the area of missions and worldwide evangelization. Many independent Baptist churches are being established all across Canada by BIMI and other independent Baptist missions agencies. In 1999, three new churches were planted by BIMI missionaries, one in British Columbia and two in French speaking Quebec. Several churches established by BIMI church planters have been turned over to Canadian pastors in recent months. One of the greatest and most urgent needs in Canada is still more church planters.

 In 1990, BIMI of Canada was organized. Since that time a tremendous growth has been seen among independent Baptist churches regarding support of missionaries around the world. In 1990, there were 14 Canadian churches supporting 50 BIMI missionaries for a total of $25,000. In 1999, 114 churches were supporting over 250 BIMI missionaries in excess of $500,000. The projections for 2000 are even greater. Not only has the missions giving of Canadian churches increased dramatically, but more and more people are surrendering to missions out of Canadian churches. Canada has been and continues to be an untapped resource for worldwide missions.

Iceland is an island country in the North Atlantic Ocean about 200 miles east of Greenland and 650 miles west of Norway. With a population of 250,000 people, 98% are native Icelanders. The Lutheran Church is recognized as the State Church, but there is religious freedom. Iceland is a prosperous nation, but prosperity has caused a drifting away from the churches and growing interest in occultism. There are very few Bible-believing churches where salvation by grace through faith is preached.

 Evangelistic work has been discouraging in the prevailing spiritual climate, and the Gospel witness and missionary effort are very small. Although there is a concerted effort to minister to the United States military stationed in Iceland, very little is being done to reach the native Icelanders. In 1997, Ben and Anita Wharton became BIMI’s first missionaries to this island country. Their ministry is unique in that they are attempting to reach and start churches among the native Icelanders. They have already learned the native language and have selected a location near the capital city of Reykjavik to begin their work. Pray that servants of God will rise up and take the light of the Gospel to this land of spiritual darkness.

It is Greenland that inspired the opening line of a famous missionary hymn. Greenland is the Northern hemisphere’s largest island, and yet it has the world’s lowest population density. About 79% of its people are Greenlanders (Greenland Eskimos), 13% are Danish, and 6% are United States military. The Danish community is made up largely of Lutheran, but few know the Savior in a personal way, and their lives display no witness to the Greenlander majority. The breakdown of their traditional culture has had devastating effects on the Greenlanders. Immorality, alcoholism, apathy, mental illness, and poverty are the results.

 Three-fourths of Greenland is covered with glaciers and only small, isolated communities dot the southern coastline, making the work of the missionary a great challenge. Presently, there are no BIMI missionaries in Greenland and the missionary effort of others is very weak. Recently, several students from various Christian colleges have expressed an interest in Greenland. A survey trip is being planned for the future. The opening line of the missionary hymn has gone unheeded for many years. Pray that “Greenland’s Icy Mountains” will again resound with the Gospel message.

The phrase “Land of the Midnight Sun” comes from the sun shining at midnight at certain weeks of the year in the Polar Regions. There is a flickering flame of the Gospel in the Far North. With the winds of prayer and support from churches and individuals, the flame can be fanned. Alaska, Canada, Iceland, and Greenland need your prayers. Pray for people to answer the call to serve the Lord in “The Lands of the Midnight Sun.”

Monday, March 15, 2010

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

KEITH & MARLA HERNDON -  MOLDOVA
ANTHONY R & DAWN HESS -  UKRAINE
KEVIN & MARY BETH HICKOK -  BRAZIL