An offering will be taken during this year’s conference Annual Meeting.
“Several churches are chomping at the bit to get involved,” Burgoyne says. “With the distances greater from Alaska to the East Coast than just about anyplace, travel is going to eat up expenses pretty quickly; but people are eager to participate, and we’re looking to build some good teams.”
Initially, Burgoyne hopes to send a few individuals simply to establish a relationship and eventually to send a team of skilled laborers in 2010 to build a shed in which snowmachines can be maintained.
Mute is appreciative of the partnership. The care packages from individuals and congregations all the way across the continent have spoken volumes, he says.
“What I see from the care packages we have been receiving is that they are willing to share with us whatever they can,” says Mute.
Burgoyne sees the partnership model as a way for two groups to learn from and to encourage one another. “I think the broader connection to the conference is a great idea to strengthen our appreciation of the village’s ministries,” says Burgoyne. “It’s also an exciting thing from a practical point of view as a way to strengthen villages and let them know they’re not alone.”
The Covenant has a longstanding presence, but this is the first time conferences have paired with the churches. “This partnership is long overdue,” says Mute. “This partnership has said something to us – that they’re finally realizing that they can share out of their hearts.”
