After ten days in the Arctic Circle, we flew into Anchorage for our last revival in the state. We met with Alice Fisher, wife of Bishop Charles Fisher (Overseer of Alaska, had lunch and toured the Church of God State Offices. Snow was still on the ground and piled up as high as five feet in some places.
By Susan Anniskette
We stayed at the Care Cottage Bed & Breakfast with Biergit & Dowain Geesey. It’s a great place to stay for a good price. The Care Cottage had been used for years as a ministry to American Native women who came into town to have their babies.
As a testimony, my back had been hurting for about two weeks so I went to a clinic in Anchorage and found out that I had shingles. The saints began to pray and immediately my body felt healed. Thank you, Jesus for a miracle!!!
We had a couple of days off before the revival began in Anchorage, so we drove to Kenai and introduced ourselves to Pastor Doug Bowers and walked through the nice church facilities.
Since we were in the area, we drove around to Nikiski and down a sloshy, snowy, icy road to the beach. It was pretty scene with the snow piled up near the shore. There were some straw looking plants coming up through the snow and it reminded me of how the beach looked in Destin, FL. The shore line was really dark with little rocks and an occasional shell. The beautiful mountains that surrounded the water were incredible!
Afterwards, we met Pastors Alan and Miriam Humphries at their church. He showed us around the church and explained how they had to completely remodel the basement after four feet of flooding.
After lunch, Pastor Humphries took us to their Alaska Christian Retreat Center. We had to drive down a very snowy road, but we got through it. Their dormitory housing complex will hold up to 90. They also have five cabins. The gathering room/kitchen is set up for large camps to come in. They’re looking for an older couple to do maintenance for the camp and a younger couple to oversee the camp.
The North Anchorage Church of God (Pastored by Bishop Tommie Shook) sits on Bragaw, one of the main streets in Anchorage. The church is shaped like an octagon and was heaped up with snow hanging off at the edges when we got here. It was so pretty. The revival services were very good and attendance was great. The church also runs a Christian school on their property.
We flew to Washington and picked up our vehicle, visited some with family and then drove to the Cornerstone Church of God in Independence, Oregon for Easter Sunday morning service. Pastors Bob & Becky McMillian have been there for 17 years. They had a great congregation and a good service. Pastor McMillian told how the church had turned their community Easter Egg Hunt into a ministry tool by placing the salvation message into the eggs.
That afternoon we drove to Roseburg, Oregon and began our revival that evening. I taught a morning devotional and had between seven to 14 who attend. One little girl came with her grandma and got saved! Praise the Lord!
After the Roseburg revival, we drove to La Pine, Oregon and visited with Pastors Tim & Paula Cowdell. They began their pastorate last October when this independent work came into the Church of God. The church is growing and God is blessing!
Our last revival was in Kalispell, Montana where Bishop Michael Hance and his wife Teri and family pastor. The revival was great and the church is growing so fast they are making plans to expand.
Pastor Hance suggested that we introduce ourselves to Pastor Julie Norwood of the Church of God in Rapid City, South Dakota. We were able to attend Sunday morning service and see that God has blessed this multi-cultural church in a great way! Some of her ministry team might be joining us on next year’s mission’s trip to Africa.
Our last service was in Corning, IA at the Lifetime in Christ Ministries Church Pastored by Tim & Debra Blaisure. This is a small independent work, but reaching the lost for Christ.
After a little more than two months on the road we were glad to get home and relax a bit and visit with family. God is faithful and we look forward to our next adventures with Him!