SEND THE GOSPEL TO ALASKA!
Mike and Valerie Arena accepted God’s calling as full-time missionaries with Voice For Christ Ministries’ radio
network (VFCM), but must raise the cost of their own support before going. Once fully supported, they will
serve the ministry at the HQ in Nenana, Alaska. VFCM serves native and rural Alaskans by providing hope via
gospel programming along with weather, news, and music. Find out more at www.vfcm.org.
First mission
church, Nenana
1953
Remote village of
Anaktuvuk Pass, AK
Broadcast: to scatter over a wide area
Antenna in Kalskag, AK
Voice for Christ Ministries has operated the I
AM Radio Network for 30 years, consistently
bringing hope via the gospel message and
Biblical teaching to areas with little or no twoway communication. Many areas they serve
have no evangelical presence whatsoever...
those believers rely on VFCM to provide the
only Biblical instruction and discipleship
teaching they receive. Non-believers also
listen to the programming primarily for news,
weather, Mukluk Messages (on-air bulletin
board), and emergency alerts—but getting a
big dose of the Gospel at the same time!
In 1953, two servicemen from a nearby Air Force
base planted a small mission church in Nenana,
Alaska…one of them was Mike’s dad, Tom. In
1983, Voice for Christ Ministries (VFCM) grew out
of that mission, established by Bob and Dee
Eldridge. VFCM has grown into the evangelistic “I
AM Radio Network” with 3 radio stations and 21
remote village translators, all sharing the gospel
of Christ 24/7 to our biggest state!
God’s work has expanded in recent years,
straining the missionary staff at each station.
They need more workers willing to serve full
time, but missionaries must help raise their own
support from those among God’s people who
share a zeal for spreading the gospel. To help,
call Mike at 706-768-3676.
KIAM, Nenana
Photo by Tom Arena, one of the two
original servicemen, circa 1954
Voice For Christ Ministries
VFCM volunteers heading
to remote site
PO Box 474 Nenana, AK 99760
Native Fish Camp Ministry
907-832-5426
Just How Big Is Alaska?
Alaska is the largest state in the US with
663,268 square miles—over twice the size of
Texas, the next largest state, and larger than
all but 18 sovereign countries. It’s also bigger than the next 3 largest states combined,
and is 1/5 the size of the entire Lower 48. It
contains over 3 million lakes 20 acres or
larger and more than 1/2 of the earth’s glaciers. If you include the islands, it has more
than 50% of America’s coastline. It’s BIG!
VFCM owns and operates 3
radio stations and 21 remote
village translator sites that
broadcast the gospel 24/7.
June of 2015 marked the
ministries’ 30th anniversary!!!
Spiritism, animism ,
and shamanism still
play a role in native
culture.
VFCM broadcasts to some villages that
have no other radio station, and some
that only have VFCM and public radio.
Alcohol-induced
deaths are 3x the
national average.
Alaska’s suicide rate is several
times higher than the lower
48, and is worst among native
Alaskan men ages 15-24.
When you consider Alaska’s more
than 9,000 rivers, 3 MILLION
lakes, a myriad of mountain
ranges, extreme cold and few
highways, it brings into focus the
HUGE geographic and
transportation challenges.
RADIO SIMPLY MAKES GOOD
SENSE TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL!!!
… and now a word from the IRS!
“This contribution is made with the understanding
that the donee organization has complete control and
administration over the use of the donated funds.”
VFCM has a vision for personal
follow-up in the remote villages
where they broadcast. That’s a
ministry area in which Valerie and
I have particular interest... please
pray it can come to pass.
Evangelical Council for
Financial Accountability
Tax-deductible donations made out to: Camp Creek
Baptist Church, 1761 Camp Creek Rd, Cornelia, GA
30531, with an enclosed note saying “Alaska.”
More info at www.alaskanarenas.com or email
[email protected]. We welcome one-time
gifts, but must budget from monthly commitments.