In the Bering Sea, a church rises on wind-swept Nunivak.
More than 200 Samaritan’s Purse volunteers from 26 states are building a church on remote Nunivak Island this summer. The construction site lies at the edge of the Native Village of Mekoryuk, the only year-round settlement on the tundra-covered Alaskan isle.
Cup’ig speaking people have lived on Nunivak, the second largest island in the Bering Sea, for over 2,000 years. Thirty miles off the Alaska mainland, the remoteness and geography of the island allowed the people—who call themselves the Nuniwarmiut—to keep hold of their traditional culture well into the 20th century. There was no permanent trading post on the island prior to 1920. The Gospel first took root here in the mid-1930s, with mass conversions taking place through the preaching of Inupiaq missionary Jacob Kenick.
Nunivak Island lies in the Bering Sea, 30 miles off the mainland coast of western Alaska.
In the early 1960s, the current church building was constructed. Though it has faithfully served its purpose, the facility is difficult to heat and was in dire need of repairs. The existing structure is neither large enough nor designed to accommodate the congregation’s robust ministry to its children and youth. Though the population of the village is right around 200, as many as 50 school-age children participate in Sunday school and other programs.
In light of the need and in answer to many prayers, our North American Ministries Alaska Projects team agreed to construct a new and larger church building for the Mekoryuk congregation.
Village Looks Forward with New Space for Worship and Ministry
Work started in late May this year with the first staff members arriving to set up “camp” at the local school, clear snow from the project site, and unload a barge carrying tons of materials and equipment, including our dump truck and telehandler.
A volunteer helps place a truss on the new church building.
The well-insulated church will feature a sanctuary, fellowship hall, kitchen, pastor’s office, three dedicated classrooms, ramp entry, and more. Built on a Triodetic foundation to withstand the yearly freeze and thaw, the church should last 100 years.
“God can use that new building as space for the youth to learn more about the Word,” said Bea Kiokun, a church leader and mother of three children—10, 12, and 14.
Bea Kiokun helps teach the youth at Mekoryuk Covenant Church.
Steven Whitman, vice president of the Native Village of Mekoryuk Tribal Council, sees the new church as a central, year-round meeting place for youth and for use by the entire village, especially for large events such as weddings and funerals. “Having a new church is important for our community,” he said.
Volunteers Gladly Make the Trek North
Samaritan’s Purse volunteer teams are busy completing the 16-week (June 17-Oct. 7) project in Mekoryuk, with a dedication celebration for the 4,000-square-foot facility scheduled in early October. Our Mission Aviation Services plays a critical role from beginning to end, transporting supplies and staff/volunteers twice a week from our base in Soldotna, about 500 flying miles away on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula.
Samaritan’s Purse Misson Aviation Services are critical to the construction project on Nunivak Island.
Brent Baumann of Great Falls, Montana, is just one of the volunteers who traveled north to Alaska to work on the church. His background as a champion rodeo rider and professional calf roper played a key role in placing the trusses for the roof.
“I’m very comfortable with a rope in my hands,” he said, describing the “flying” of these structural timbers with a skid steer, ropes, and pulleys.
Brent Baumann of Great Falls, Montana, wrangles a truss onto the church roof.
Baumann, also a geologist, worked at a large mine in northern Alaska for several years and understands the challenges and hardships of this remote region. He knows the village, and especially the church members, appreciate the efforts of volunteers to come so far and help in Jesus’ Name.
“It’s a tremendous answer to prayer,” Baumann said. “It means the world to them. Look what the Lord has done.”
Doug Fagley of Millville, Delaware, helped Samaritan’s Purse build a new church in Dillingham, Alaska, in 2019, and returned this year to volunteer in Mekoryuk. “I like the building projects,” he said. “I’m a cabinet maker by trade. I can cut and fit.”
Doug Fagley of Millville, Delaware, noted that the look of the new church building reminded him of Noah’s Ark.
He said he admires how Samaritan’s Purse teams pay special attention to the quality of materials and craftmanship, but also make time to cultivate meaningful relationships within the village. “They’re focused on Jesus. If it’s done, it’s done right.”
Some Return Year After Year
Several other repeat volunteers are serving this year on Nunivak Island—including Mark Atcherson of Dagsboro, Delaware. This was his fourth construction trip with Samaritan’s Purse to remote Alaska. The camaraderie, fellowship, and grace experienced between volunteers is a big part of what keeps him coming back.
Mark Atcherson of Delaware volunteered in Mekoryuk this summer, his fourth trip to Alaska with Samaritan’s Purse.
He’s also come to love the Last Frontier state and its people. Speaking of Native Alaskan believers he’s met in Mekoryuk this year, in Koyuk last year, and in other places, he said, “They live minimally, but they love the Lord so deeply.”
Jon Austin of Evansville, Indiana, has served with us multiple times in Alaska; he’s also volunteered with our U.S. Disaster Relief teams in Florida, Tennessee, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Oklahoma. He came to Mekoryuk in late June and early July this year. In addition to construction, he led a time of worship for the village youth one Sunday night.
“I love being with these guys,” Jon said of his fellow volunteers. “We have to construct a building, but we’re really here to build God’s Kingdom. That’s how we look at it.”
Volunteer Jon Austin speaks to the youth on a July Sunday night in Mekoryuk.
Jon has enjoyed his experiences with Samaritan’s Purse so much that he invited another friend from Evansville, Tom Kempf, to join him this year. Tom’s reply was simple: “I said, ‘I can do that.’ I’ve always enjoyed helping people.” Recently retired, Tom journeyed to Alaska with Jon this summer—Tom’s first mission trip ever—and was blessed: “The team, the workers, the way they take care of us is amazing,” he said.
Samaritan’s Purse staffer Russ Richardson has been on the ground in Mekoryuk since day one of the project. He is glad to tell volunteers—whether this is their first time serving or they’ve served many times in Alaska: “Thank you for being obedient to God and getting on that plane to come here.”
Construction Leads to Gospel Witness in The Last Frontier
Despite wind, cold, rain, snow, mosquitoes, blowing sand, and a number of other challenges, the work goes on. Even as our volunteers remain focused on the church construction and finishing touches, they also serve members of the community with home repair projects around the village. Many weeks, they lead services on Sundays, too.
Sunshine was a welcome relief after nasty weather early in construction.
Ultimately, all of our efforts in Mekoryuk create a platform for relationships and conversations in which staff and volunteers point people to the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Edward Kiokun, Bea’s husband, is a church board member and the president of the tribal council. “I’m grateful for Samaritan’s Purse coming here to build the church building,” he said. “My main hope and prayer personally is that the volunteers can reach people in the village that we can’t.”
Edward Kiokun is president of the Native Village of Mekoryuk. He and his wife, Bea, are leaders in the church.
Please pray for the church in Mekoryuk that they would faithfully teach God’s Word to young and old and that many in the village would embrace the Gospel. Pray that the new building would be filled with joyful worship. Pray for Samaritan’s Purse staff and volunteers that they would finish this construction project on time and take opportunities to share the love of the Lord Jesus Christ in word and deed with all those on Nunivak Island.
Mekoryuk is the only village on Nunivak Island and has a population around 200.
The work in Mekoryuk represents the 36th project that Samaritan’s Purse has undertaken across Alaska since 2006.
