Happy Thanksgiving!

God sure is good to us. 

It really doesn't make earthly sense that our monthy paycheck does not even cover out rent, and yet our bank account is larger now than it was when we arrived here at Seminary in August.

On Tuesday some anonymous friend put a letter in my student mailbox with an encouraging Bible verse and $60 cash.  What a blessing!  Since we have arrived here in Chicago, many people have sent us money randomly.  God takes care of His children.

I am humbled to report, however, that when I saw the $60 in the envelope, I immediately thought of ways that we could use the money.  When I got home and showed Shirleen, she had a very different response.  She immediately thought of how we could use the money to bless others.  What an awesome wife that I have. 

How often do we think of money and possessions as OURS rather than GOD'S? 

Thank you Lord for how you love us and provide for us!

Please pray for the North Park Seminary community.  Tonight a student went home to Glory with His Lord Jesus.  Vernard lived downstairs from us and was a very kind hearted man.  He will be missed.  I did not know him as well as I would have liked, but look forward to knowing him better in Heaven some day.

Pray especially for Vernard's family.  He spoke especially about a brother that was very close to him.  Pray that somehow God will draw people closer to him even through this tragedy.

Would you like to help me with a research project?  If you have done ministry in the Alaska Native culture, I would love your opinions!  Look at the questions below and you can email me the answers - adam@cyak.org.

Thanks!


Perspectives on Conversion in the Alaska Native Culture

Thank you so much for taking the time to help me research this topic!  

 Please answer all questions from your own point of view as a leader in the church doing ministry within the Alaska Native culture.

How long have you been involved in ministry within the Alaska Native culture?

What ministry roles have you had? 

1. In one or two sentences, please state what you believe is necessary in order to convert to Christianity:

2. In one or two sentences, please state your understanding of the possibility of converting away from Christianity?

3. Would your definitions differ from those in your church? 

           If so, what are the differences?

4. What do you believe is the role of the “sinner’s prayer” in conversion?
   
5. What do you believe is the role of baptism in conversion?

6. What is the role of a “testimony” in conversion?

7. Can a person convert to Christianity and show no change in their life?  Why or why not?

8. What are some cultural barriers that Natives face in conversion?

9. What are some cultural strengths that aid Natives in conversion?

10. What do you think could increase the number of conversions?