Tell Your Story Alaska

In 1962 the United States and Russia were swept up in the Cuban Missile Crisis and a nuclear holocaust seemed imminent. Meanwhile, a U2 spy plane out of Alaska accidentally wandered into Russian Airspace making the Russians believe they were being attacked. How did that happen? It was the Aurora Borealis' fault. In this episode about Alaska's history, I tell the true story of how the Aurora Boreal...

Alekgnagik means "the wrong way home." What's that all about? Situated on the beautiful Aleknagik Lake and Wood River, this village is the site of fish camps from long ago. Disease wiped out the 200 residents in the late 19th century and the village has since recovered. Today, it's a destination location for tourists, but still remains a mostly native community. Alexander Creek still contains anci...

Alatna and Allakaket are neighboring villages which are old trading posts between Athabaskans and Eskimos. It's the location of the first mission by the Episcopal Church on the Koyukon River in 1906. A major flood wiped out the village in 1994 and the residents had to be rescued by helicopter! Alcan was established by the federal government for housing customs agents on the Alaska/Canada border. T...

Mathew is the Pastor of Safe Harbor Church in Akutan, AK. This is no ordinary church, not only because it's on a remote island on the Aleutian Islands, but also because people from Ukraine, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Guinea, Congo, Liberia, Mongolia, and other places are in Akutan working for Trident Seafoods Company. Mathew discusses how he pastors a church with this kind of diversi...

Akutan is a very diverse village most known for being the home of Trident Seafood Company's largest seafood plant in North America. Even more unique is the nearby volcano and an airstrip that's not even on the same island! Safe Harbor Church serves as a community center and hosts some of the most diverse people in the state of Alaska! Alakanuk sits on the mouth of the Yukon River with a surprising...

Akiachak and Akiak happen to be neighbors and both of which I have flown into. They are located northeast of Bethel in the Yukon Delta region on the Kuskokuim River. These are ancient subsistence communities that are majority Native Alaskan still today. The Moravian Church and Russian Orthodox Church have had the most influence historically. Contact the show at tysalaska@gmail.com TYSA Logo was cr...

This week, I am starting a new series that profiles the villages of Alaska. I have a complete list of every village, all 267 of them (including major cities). The purpose is to get a quick glimpse into each village of Alaska so we can know their history, what churches are there, how to get there, and any insights to each village I can find so we can know how to better pray for our great state. I w...

Way out in the middle of Lake Clark National Park & Preserve in Port Allsworth, Alaska is Tanalian Bible Camp. I spoke with Mark McGee, the executive director of the camp to discuss what the camp is all about, the history, purpose, and everything in between. The camp has been around since 1963 and has become a sanctuary for the 31 villages in the surrounding area. Mark has served at the camp s...

Kingdom Air Corp has been training pilots in remote Alaska for 25 years. Recently, I had a chance to fly over to King's Ranch to share morning devotions and sit down with Dwayne King, founder, and Joe Gerwig, director of operations, to learn how Kingdom Air Corp came about. Both of these men are passionate about missions around the world and shared their hearts with me on this episode. Contact...

I've just returned from flying for Kokrine Hills Bible Camp in Central Alaska along the Yukon River. There's far too much to fit in one episode so I simply share some flying stories from the last month and talk about the legacy of this camp. Navigating around storms, making tough decisions, how to find a hole in the clouds, how to fix a runway, how the latest technology saved our skins, an...

Husband, father, pastor, pilot (Maule M7 and Cessna 206), mechanic, missionary with The Master's Mission, radio broadcaster at KIAM, influential member of the Airman's Association, and two-time winner of the Nenana beard competition: Adam White is a man with many talents and roles. I sat down with Adam at the KIAM radio station base in Nenana, AK to hear his story. He was on his way to ser...

I recently returned from flying for Kako Retreat Center located in remote Alaska Yukon Delta area. I briefly tell the history of Kako, talk about the challenges of the airstrip, the area, the unreliable forecasts in Alaska, and all about "Family Camp" at Kako! We stopped in at Port Allsworth, AK where Tanalian Bible Camp and Samaritans Purse have ministries. When we returned home some fa...

John grew up in Kotzebue and Kobuk facing childhood trauma's and the loss of many close to him to suicide. He himself attempted suicide several times as he drank and smoked to numb the pain brewing inside. When his daughter committed suicide he hit rock bottom and there seemed to be no way back. That is, until God plucked him out of himself while on a walk with a knife in hand with a suicidal...

What attitude should a native christian have towards the injustices done in the past? How does one begin to heal from childhood wounds? What does biblical manhood look like for young native men? Daniel Esplin joins the show to discuss. Daniel Esplin is the Director of Admissions at Indian Bible College in Flagstaff, AZ where he teaches a class on biblical manhood. He traveled up to Alaska to promo...

The Baha'i faith is one of the most widely distributed faiths in the world and it is here in Alaska. I discuss what the Baha'i faith is, its presence in Alaska, the history of the faith, and its doctrines. One of the values of the faith is the "independent investigation of truth." So that's what I did. Here are my thoughts. Contact the show at tysalaska@gmail.com TYSA Logo wa...

50% of missionaries quit before they reach 5 years on the field. 70% leave for preventable reasons. Why is that? Are missionaries being properly prepared? Has the western church prepared missionaries for spiritual warfare? Are missionaries just arrogant people telling other people how wrong they are about everything? Why can't missionaries just get along? Two veteran missionary couples join me...

In 1898, tens of thousands of people infected with gold fever rushed up to Skagway, Alaska to begin their journey to the Yukon Territory in search for quick riches and adventure. This influx of people changed Alaska and the Yukon Territory forever. We take a look at this interesting time of history and its impact today. Contact the show at tysalaska@gmail.com TYSA Logo was created by Evan Van Kirk...

The struggle with anxiety is so common and it's talked about so little. The endless, spinning, miserable thoughts that can't be shaken. The sleepless nights, the panic attacks, the crying out to God and hearing nothing but silence. If you have experienced that I hope my story gives you hope today. Contact the show at tysalaska@gmail.com TYSA Logo was created by Evan Van Kirk Music was crea...

Missionary Aviation Repair Center has been serving Alaska's missionary aviation's community since 1964. I flew to Soldotna, Alaska to have some work done on my Cherokee 6, and while I was there I sat down with the Executive Director, Peter Bastke to share a bit of his story, the history of MARC, and what they are up to today. Check out their website: marcalaska.org Contact the show at tysa...

Does forgiveness mean the person who hurt me gets away with it? Do you crave justice, but see no hope of it happening? Do you find yourself imagining revenge to the person who hurt you? Does a video play over and over in your mind of how someone did injustice against you? Forgiveness might be the last thing you want to do. Forgiveness doesnt seem fair. Let's talk about that. I break down misco...

He is known as "The Eskimo Prophet." He is remembered for his many predictions that have come true including the coming of Christianity to Alaska. In this episode, I summarize the many testimonies given about him from native elders who either knew him when they were children or grew up hearing about him from their parents who knew him. Was Maniilaq a legitimate prophet? I explore this qu...

You won't believe some of Kurt's flying stories! I traveled up to the homestead of Kurt and Lynnette Bedingfield to hear their story! They recount their faith journeys growing up with preacher fathers in Alaska. Kurt became a pilot game warden on Kodiak Island, Kotzebue, and Coldfoot on floats, skis, and wheels! Lynnette recounts what it was like to move again and again (hint: she loved it...

54.5% of families in Alaska are “non-intact families.” Absent fathers is a pandemic in Alaska. What is the role of a father? Why are fathers so important? What does the Bible mean by “wives submit to your husbands”? What does a family-centered life look like? How can we break generational sins so fathers don’t pass on their wounds to their children? What can be done if your family is already broke...

Brian grew up as a missionary kid in Bolivia. Going out to play with the crocodiles led his parents to send him to boarding school on the other side of the country. Watching the airplanes back then put the flying bug in his soul and he became a missionary pilot in the Philippines and Bolivia. Brian tells his best stories including one where he helped deliver a baby in the back of a taxi cab, and i...

I have long wondered about this puzzling question and in this episode I take on the task of going through Scripture regarding this topic. Could we meet in heaven Native Americans who lived in 1000AD? Listen in to explore this question with me. Further reading: Is Jesus the Only Savior? by Ronald H Nash Jesus, the Only Way to God: Must You Hear the Gospel to be Saved? by John Piper Contact the show...