The largest gold shipment sent by dog sled from Nome to Seward, Alaska, and the lower 48 states was one-and-a-half tons of gold. Forty-six dogs pulled the sled. Over the last hundred years, fortunes were made by individuals and companies screening the ore for gold. The gold came with a price: Many died in their search. More never recovered their investment and went home disappointed.

For 60 years, Alaska Nazarenes have brought home the gold. Since their founding as a mission district, they have always paid their World Evangelism Fund (WEF) in full.

In 1964 the largest earthquake to hit North America shook Alaska. The infrastructure had to be rebuilt. Whole communities were wiped out, or like Valdez, relocated. The World Evangelism Fund was paid.

In 1989 the Exxon Valdez oil tanker hit Bligh island. An area as large as from Maine to the Mississippi River, 482 kilometers (300 miles) wide, was polluted with crude oil. It destroyed the fisheries - a major source of income for many in Alaska. For years our church members could no longer depend on the ocean for their livelihood, but the World Evangelism Fund was paid.

To pay the World Evangelism Fund in full for 60 consecutive years has taken the determination of district Nazarene Mission International (NMI) presidents and district superintendents who keep the vision in front of the people. Sometimes it is one of the laity at the assembly who says, “I can’t believe we are not going to pay our World Evangelism Fund.”

For several years the Ketchikan church gave 200 to 400 percent of their apportionment to help those churches that were not as blessed. Alaskans refuse to let mission giving die. One year it was finally collected after the general treasurer told us the books were closed. Even though the district could not receive credit for paying it in full, the World Evangelism Fund was given.

The whole world is in economic turmoil. Some say, “It is just not possible to give as in the past. It is unreasonable to expect 100 percent payment of World Evangelism Fund.” Through 60 years of World Evangelism payment, Alaska is challenging those who say it can’t be done.

The gold is not sent out by dog sled anymore. We use checks and electronic transfer, but the sacrifice of men and women is just as real to get the gold out. Thank God for Alaskan gold, because it enables the real gold -- men and women -- to know the Savior.

How Alaskans raise the offering

  • Mission giving is a priority. Would your mortgage holder be content if you paid 70 to 90 percent of the payment each month?
  • We pray for God to help us. The World Evangelism Fund is a regular prayer item.
  • Most churches give more to help the few who do not meet their obligations. At the annual district assembly and Nazarene Missions International (NMI) convention, everyone is notified of the amount needed to give 100 percent. Offerings and pledges are taken.
  • Again this year we were several thousand dollars short. A pastor sold a prized gun. Lay people held yard sales. A lay person God had blessed matched each dollar to help us raise the last $16,000.
  • Some churches give to missions unexpected funds.
  • We remind congregations of the need: In response to shrinking global economy and in order to sustain ministry on regions and fields, the Global Ministry Center has radically reduced the number of employees in the Lenexa, Kansas, offices; retiring missionary positions may not be filled; Bible college professors have taken salary reductions.
  • We celebrate that the church is growing so fast in places like Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea that the leaders can only guess at the number of new congregations. When the last dollar is raised for World Evangelism Fund, we party. Oh, excuse me. We holiness people celebrate.


-- Blair Rorabaugh, Alaska District NMI treasurer