August/September Update

Time sure does fly when you are having fun! Fall is upon us here in our part of Alaska. The leaves are changing colors, some of those leaves are starting to fall, and there is a chill in the air. In a week or two we will have studded tires installed on our car. In no time at all we will have snow on the ground! It comes quickly here in Alaska. We would appreciate your prayers as we head into our 4th winter in Alaska.

Fall Semester at ABC

We have been blessed by this opportunity for us to both be a part of the ministry of Alaska Bible College! We are enjoying building relationships with the staff and students. Matthew is busy teaching his three courses, managing the Business Office, and working on his own PhD studies. Christy is busy working with the Government regarding the student’s federal financial aid. We love Alaska Bible College!!

Matthew’s Devotional

 Seasoned with Salt

Colossians 4:6 states: “Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person” (HCSB). This short passage bears with it tremendous significance for the Christian life. We must take this as a moral imperative (what we ought to do) in order to exemplify the love of Christ in our lives.

Speech is our primary mode of communication with each other, and is also the primary device through which we build and maintain relationships. Therefore, which words we use to speak and how we speak them is of vital importance.
The metaphor of salt serves to establish a way of speaking that is satisfying to others, rather than dull or bitter, and also a preservative for relationships rather than decay. This is not to say that our words should be used to “tickle the ears of our listeners,” so to speak, but rather to speak truth in love.

In addition, giving an answer to each person also entails being prepared, not just in the gracious speech of our character, but also in the knowledge and wisdom of truth. Taking a moment to think before we speak can mean the difference between a gracious and pleasant response, and a brash and heartless reproach, which can result in discord and division in the body of Christ. Let us choose to make the words that flow from our lips ones that foster growth and maturation in the lives of others, while bringing honor and Glory to God!

Matthew’s North Carolina Trip

We shared with you in our last blog that Matthew has been asked to speak at the National Conference on Christian Apologetics through Southern Evangelical Seminary located in North Carolina. Traveling to the “lower 48” can be very expensive. We were not sure how we were going to cover the cost of the trip: Airline tickets, hotel, and car rental. We are so excited to share with you that God has provided , through you, enough funds to cover the cost of the entire trip! Thank you so much to all of you who donated to help make this trip possible. We appreciate it so much!

Missionary Support

Alaska Bible College is a missionary enterprise. Therefore, Bible and ministry education takes place in the context of a mission setting. Faculty and staff serve as missionaries who are committed to God and this ministry. Because of the missionary fundraising efforts of the college, education is provided at a lower cost to the students.

Currently we are averaging about 75% of our monthly goal. This includes recurring monthly and special one time donations.

Would you please consider partnering with us to help achieve being fully supported for ministry in Alaska?

Click Here To Donate

or

send a check to:

Alaska Bible College, 248 E Elmwood Ave, Palmer, AK 99645.

Please write in the memo: Matthew and Christy Support

Thank you!!

Prayer Requests

• That the students would learn a lot and do well with their studies.
• For Matthew’s PhD studies.
• For Matthew as he prepares for his talk at the conference and his travels to North Carolina.
• For Christy as she learns the ropes of the financial aid world.