September 2003

September 2003 – Arctic Bible Conference – Baker Lake, Nunavut

The Northern Lights over Baker Lake (can you spot Mars?)

For the first time, a large-scale Arctic Bible conference was held in the community of Baker Lake, Nunavut. Nearly 500 people flew by scheduled air services and charters from all around the Arctic and southern Canada. People from as far North as Arctic Bay, Nunavut, from as far West as BC and from as far South as Kentucky attended the six-day event. Over 100 from Nunavik (Northern Quebec) used three charters to get the geographic centre of Canada – the hamlet of Baker Lake.

Planning started many months ago and was spearheaded by Pastors Joan and Bill Kashla of Baker Lake. Preparations began on Thursday, September 18 with the setting up of the local Arena. Many who arrived early, helped with chairs, sound and video equipment. The A-V part of the conference was handled by Bobby Deer of Quaqtaq, Nunavik and Russ Kroeker of Creston BC. During the six days, audio CDs, audio tapes and DVDs were recorded, copied and distributed.

Panoramic View of the 500-plus attendees in the Baker Lake Arena

Many Inuit Pastors such as James Arreak from Iqaluit, Billy Arnaquq from Qikiqtarjuaq, Leoni Duffy from Coral Harbour shared the Word and presented teaching sessions. As well, other Inuit Pastors such as Eva Lapage from Kuujjuaq, Elyassie Sallualuk from Puvirnatuq and many more were present and ministered at the conference. It was a blessing beyond measure. Josh and Janet Mills of New Wine Ministries in London and David Ellyatt of Arctic Missions from London also shared the word. Others from the South included Ed Tetrault from Winnipeg, Arne Bryan and his wife Kathie from Prayer Canada in BC and Pastor Don Porter of God’s Church in Sucker Creek Alberta. In addition, Roger Armbruster of Canada Awakening blessed the conference with powerful preaching. See Roger’s report on his Canada Awakening Website.

The weather in Baker Lake was nearly perfect with only one day of overcast sky and a bit of snow. Many evenings were clear enough to see the wonderful Northern Lights and what a show they put on. After downloading and processing the pictures, I realized that the one shown below looks so much like the hand of Jesus complete with nail hole! I have called it God’s Hand over Baker Lake.

God’s Hand Over Baker Lake

(September 22, 2003)

Homes were opened for billeting conference goers as the population of Baker Lake was a third again larger for the six days. All hotels were full and we were all accommodated with traditional Inuit hospitality. On the Tuesday afternoon there were no sessions as the Community prepared a cook-out behind the arena. Hundreds of families attended and chowed-down on Caribou, baked potatoes, Banok bread, corn and Kraft dinner! I had never seen a picnic with snow on the ground!

The messages given were focussed on many Christian topics including Spiritual gifts, walking the walk in silence, submission to His will among others. Each evening several came for prayer and gave themselves to the Lord. One significant event took place on the Sunday night service. Those from Nunavik who had lost loved ones to suicide were matched up with those from Baker Lake who are suffering the same anguish. The two lines of people stood face to face and prayed together and hugged and cried together – it was very significant and moving.

Praise and worship times were to say the least ‘lively’ – the Praise Team from Arviat and from Salluit were the major teams and brought the attendees into the presence of God with their music. They ministered during offering time and before ministry time – the Inuit know how to worship and dance and be ‘undignified’ before the Lord – Praise the Lord.