“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17).
First of all...
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!
It’s been awhile since we’ve posted, published, or put out in any way, a newsletter. As I’ve been able to spend a good amount of time in prayer over the past several months, I thought it a good idea to send you the warmest wishes of the season, as well as fill you in on a few things.
As an apology before I continue any further, I’d like to express my regrets that I’m unable to send a personal email or send a personal card or letter to each and every one this year. Some of you already know the reason for this. Typing has gotten a little more difficult... and writing by pen can be a chore at times as well. Therefore, I’m writing this one big piece, in order to say my peace, as well as wish you grace and peace.
It is both with joy and a bit of sorrow that I write to tell you that Lisa, Rachel, and I will be leaving Scammon Bay, and Alaska. It is with joy because we see the hand of the Lord in our beloved leadership and congregation in Scammon Bay. It is with a bit of sadness because in such a short time Scammon Bay has become our home and the church members have truly become our family. It is with joy because we can see God’s blessing upon the leaders that have matured in God’s Word and will continue to mature; and because we have seen the congregation grow by the grace of God under His anointed blessing. It is with sadness because we will miss everyone here.
Depending upon how I’m doing physically, we may be leaving as early as January... or possibly March if I can hang on that long (but it’s looking more like January because...). Unfortunately, the symptoms of the illness I may have are becoming more frequent and getting increasingly worse.
I say, “may have” because we left California before we could get the final diagnosis. We had to stay an extra month in southern California because of the extra medical visits that had to take place, so we prayerfully sought the Lord, and afterward, believed that it would be best to return to Alaska in order to tell the congregation face to face that I may have ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
If it truly is ALS, please don’t be saddened over that. It is what it is, and God didn’t cause it. It is a tremendous daily reminder that in Adam’s fall, these things entered into the marvelous creation of God. More importantly, it is a reminder that, because of Christ’s finished work upon Calvary’s tree, when He returns there will be no more sorrow, sickness, disease, and death; and until then, in Christ, we have triumph in the midst of tragedy and joy unspeakable in the midst of sorrow and suffering. My ailments are light and momentary afflictions indeed because the exceeding and eternal weight of glory IS the beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ. By God’s grace and mercy, He has comforted me daily with His fulfilled Word, His finished work upon the Cross, and the wonderful majesty of who our Lord Jesus is.
There is also a great deal of relief to finally know what it is. We arrived in Scammon Bay in October 2005 and I began feeling ill in March 2006. After nearly every imaginable test (and letter of the alphabet), i.e., CT Scan, MRI, EEG, EKG, EMG, NCV, etc., and 3 neurologists later, it’s been a journey that has helped us as a family to trust the Lord more deeply and intimately.
Personally, I believe that it may allow me to be an even more effective servant for Jesus Christ, as it is written,
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities[i] ...for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things[ii] of the world to confound the things which are mighty” (1 Corinthians 1:26-27).
Why? “That no flesh should glory in His presence” (1 Corinthians 1:29).
So where does that leave our beloved brethren and sisters in Scammon Bay? Thankfully, by God’s grace, mercy, and providence, it leaves them in the very hand of the living God.
While we’ve been gone, the congregation has grown to fill both morning and evening services, as well as the afternoon children’s church with more than 30% of the village population. Our church board chair, John Uttereyuk has been leading most of the services and sharing God’s Word to the congregation (and having heard him Sunday evening, 12/9, he delivers much better messages than I). David Kaganak and Xavier Simon have also preached from the pulpit during the 3 months we’ve been gone. A men’s Bible study and prayer meeting also started while we were away and our church leadership have grown incredibly in the Scriptures.
Some, even outside of our village, have recognized the hand of the Lord upon John Uttereyuk’s life and believe that he may be our next pastor in Scammon Bay. He is my dear friend and brother in the Lord, and his heart is full of passion for God’s Word as well as compassion for the people in Scammon Bay and the entire Yukon delta region. If God has called my beloved brother to pastor this congregation, I would be more overjoyed than I can ever express.
And although John is certainly a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, in our conversations and times of prayer together, I can see in his eyes that he knows the tremendous responsibility that comes with handling God’s Word and ministering before the Lord unto His people. I told John just yesterday not to be pressured into doing anything that he wasn’t certain that he, himself, has heard from the Lord, i.e., becoming the next pastor. If God has called John to be the next pastor of Scammon Bay, God will confirm it to him by the Scriptures, and affirm it through the leaders and congregation of Scammon Bay Covenant Church. Of that, I have no doubt and every faith in God that His church is in His hand.
Whether John becomes the pastor or remains as our church chair, he is the leader of our congregation and will be ministering to it when we’ve gone. Therefore, I’d like to ask those who have been supporting our ministry through love gifts and financial support to prayerfully consider sending your gifts and support to John Uttereyuk instead of us. It is written,
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward” (1 Timothy 5:17-18).
As a ruling and teaching elder in our congregation, John certainly fulfills the qualification of that Scripture. If the Lord has indeed placed Scammon Bay upon your heart, please pray for John Uttereyuk and the leaders of our congregation. If the Lord is moving your heart to support John's ministry financially, you can receive a tax-deductible receipt by sending your gifts and support payable to:
Evangelical Covenant Church of Alaska
P.O. Box 770749
Eagle River, AK 99577
Don’t forget to designate that your gift is to be used for John Uttereyuk, either written on the check or in an accompanying note or letter. If you use automated bank transfers, you may want to call up the ECCAK office for details, (907) 694-6348.
We are so thankful for your love, your prayers, and your support of our ministry to Scammon Bay. We pray that you will continue to rejoice with us as we, and the congregation in Scammon Bay, open new chapters in our lives.
In closing, remember, though Jesus may not have been born at this time of year, it’s no reason not to celebrate the joy of the incarnation of the holy Child Jesus, because through the incarnation, God, in Christ, gave the world a righteous Son to hang upon a tree at Calvary.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:6-7).
With love in Christ,
jon cardwell (& lisa and rachel)
Endnotes:
[i] The Greek word astheneiais means diseases, sicknesses, weaknesses, or infirmities.
[ii] The Greek word asthenee means weak, sick, impotent, more feeble, or without strength.
