Frequently Asked Questions - Alaska Mission for Christ - Sharing Christ in the Last Frontier

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What is the goal of Alaska Mission for Christ?
What is a lay minister?
What is a Licensed Deacon?
Can women take the lay ministry training courses?
What are the courses required for a licensed deacon?
How can I take these courses?
How many communities does AMC serve on the road system?
What is Denali Lutheran Church?
Who are the staff of AMC?
How can I support the work of AMC?

What is the goal of Alaska Mission for Christ?

The goal of Alaska Mission for Christ is to share Christ in the last frontier. This goal is spelled out below in the ends statements of AMC:

A BOLD proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is made to those who do not yet know Him in every community in Alaska.

As a result of this proclamation many people are saved by God’s grace for eternal life. It’s harvest time – all the time.
As people come to faith in Jesus, they become part of local Christian faith communities.
As people grow in faith, the Church, the LCMS, local Christian faith communities, and individual believers are built up to the glory of God.
As individual Christians grow in faith they share Jesus with others.
Lay ministry servants are prepared to share the Gospel in all settings.
As the Church is built up to the glory of God, people will be identified, encouraged and trained for commissioned or ordained ministry.
Alaska congregations, volunteers, District, Synod, and other Christian groups will joyfully share in the mission work of Jesus through the AMC.

What is a lay minister?

Lay ministers are lay men who have been equipped to do Word and Sacrament ministry in order to expand the ministry of Ordained Pastors.

What is a Licensed Deacon?

A licensed Deacon is a lay minister that has completed 10 courses in Theology and has been certified by the Northwest District to do public Word and Sacrament ministry under the supervision of an ordained minister.

Can women take the lay ministry training courses?

Women are encouraged to take lay ministry courses, but cannot be certified for public Word and Sacrament ministry.

What are the courses required for a licensed deacon?

Old Testament Bible
New Testament Bible
Christian Doctrine Summary
Interpreting the Bible in Translation
Basic Preaching
Lutheran Worship I
Fundamental Pastoral Care
Teaching the Faith
Mission Outreach in Context
Church History I

How can I take these courses?

Courses can be taken through Alaska Mission for Christ or over the Internet through Leadership Advancement Process (LAP). For more information or to get started, contact AMC's Lay training coordinator, Todd Roeske, or LAP.

How many communities does AMC serve on the road system?

AMC does Word and Sacrament ministry in Chitina, Delta Junction, Dot Lake, Meier's Lake, and Tanacross. We touch many more communities through VBS, Sports Camps and personal witness.

What is Denali Lutheran Church?

Denali Lutheran Church is a nongeographical Lutheran Church that consists of small worshipping communities in remote parts of Alaska. Presently, Denali is made up of fellowship groups in Bethel, Chitina, Delta Junction, Dot Lake, Meier's Lake, Tanacross, and Hoonah, AK. Two Denali fellowships (Funny River Community Lutheran Church in Funny River and Mt. Drum Lutheran Church, Copper Center) recently became independent congregations of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

Who are the staff of AMC?

Corbie and Nancy Cross and Ruth Zellar are the paid staff of AMC. Todd Roeske and Michael Borg are full time volunteer missionaries. Bruce Grossmann is a self supported AMC missionary. Many lay ministers and licensed deacons support the ministry.

How can I support the work of AMC?

You can support AMC in a variety of ways: pray, volunteer, or give financially. If you would like to learn more, please sign up for our monthly newsletter.