Synod of Alaska-Northwest

Beginning Tuesday, March 9, the 2010 Mission Yearbook of Prayer & Study focuses on the Synod of Alaska-Northwest and each of it's presbyteries (one day for each). Following is an excerpt from the Tuesday, March 9th reflection about our Synod. To read the daily devotions, visit the Mission Yearbook of Prayer online.

Tuesday, March 9
The Synod of Alaska-Northwest

What happens when a heart is cold and icy, when the gift of faith lies fallow and unexplored? Two young men came to Rainbow Glacier Camp in Haines, Alaska, for a week of Christian camping. By the end of the week the counselors were absolutely stumped at the boys’ behavior. Their hearts appeared truly hardened. At the final worship service in the outdoor chapel that overlooks the Chilkat River and looks up to the Rainbow Glacier, two miracles took place. In the middle of worship a huge chunk of glacier calved, filling the air with a thunderous crash. Then a hummingbird flew into camp and hovered in front of only two faces. Which two? The two boys who had been impervious to the gospel all week were overcome by God, who knew and loved them. Their hearts melted. The hearts of two believers began to beat.

The Synod of Alaska-Northwest gratefully embraces the camping and conference ministries that support the 269 congregations and 57,512 members in their spiritual practices of retreat, evangelism, and prayer. The synod is home to Bingle Memorial Camp, Clearwater Lodge and Camp Spalding, the Campbell Farm, Ghormley Meadow Christian Camp, Sound View Camp and Retreat Center, and Tall Timber Ranch, in addition to Rainbow Glacier Camp.