The Church of God in Alaska/BC has been blessed with the addition
of what was formerly the New Beginnings Christian Fellowship and
is now the New Beginnings Church of God. It is an absolute delight
and with a great deal of excitement that we welcome this new church
into our fellowship. This church, located in Barrow, Alaska has
been pastored by our own David Matthews, Jr. for the last twenty-one
months. Barrow is located 340 miles north of the Arctic Circle and
sits on the banks of the Arctic Ocean. This city, with a population
of around 4,500, possibly has the harshest weather in Alaska with
temperatures reaching
to 60 and 70 below zero. David, and his wife, Tina, have served
this church with love and prayer and have faithfully ministered
the Word. God gradually performed miracle after miracle in the lives
of families and individuals in this church. Administrative Bishop
Gary Harris had been in contact with Pastor David for several months
as they and others in the church and across our movement were praying
for the Lord’s direction. In January the congregation made the decision
that it was time to affiliate with an organization which could provide
a covering. The Church of God was one under consideration.
The constituents wanted to have some questions answered about the
Church of God, and on February 17, Bishop Harris visited with the
church and ministered in both the morning and evening services.
God moved in a powerful way and blessed in these times of worship
together. Then on Monday evening, February 18, he shared two informative
DVD and power point presentations. These were followed by a question
and answer session for approximately forty-five minutes. God touched
the hearts of His people during this meeting. The congregation then
voted with a very strong 99 percent vote to unite with the Church
of God! Almost unanimous!
We want to express our deep appreciation to Pastor David and Tina,
who have exhibited patience and perseverance during this process.
They have been life-long members of the church and slowly and methodically
allowed the Spirit of God to do a work in this
congregation of 43 members. The church has a variety of cultures
represented in their congregation, including Inupiat Eskimos, and
a worship attendance of up to 100 including Children’s Church. When
David and Tina moved from Kotzebue to Barrow in May of 2006 with
their children, Chelsi, Taihya, Shelbi, David, Brendon, and Trenton,
God performed many miracles as they journeyed even further north
to the Top of the World. As the results of the votes to affiliate
with the Church of God were announced, both Pastor David and Tina
were literally weeping with tears of joy on the night of this amalgamation.
We give God all the praise for this significant and joyous occasion,
and we whole-heartedly welcome our new church into the fantastic
fellowship of the Church of God family!
to 60 and 70 below zero. David, and his wife, Tina, have served
this church with love and prayer and have faithfully ministered
the Word. God gradually performed miracle after miracle in the lives
of families and individuals in this church. Administrative Bishop
Gary Harris had been in contact with Pastor David for several months
as they and others in the church and across our movement were praying
for the Lord’s direction. In January the congregation made the decision
that it was time to affiliate with an organization which could provide
a covering. The Church of God was one under consideration.
this
congregation of 43 members. The church has a variety of cultures
represented in their congregation, including Inupiat Eskimos, and
a worship attendance of up to 100 including Children’s Church. When
David and Tina moved from Kotzebue to Barrow in May of 2006 with
their children, Chelsi, Taihya, Shelbi, David, Brendon, and Trenton,
God performed many miracles as they journeyed even further north
to the Top of the World. As the results of the votes to affiliate
with the Church of God were announced, both Pastor David and Tina
were literally weeping with tears of joy on the night of this amalgamation.
