Armed with prayer and good books, eight Anchorage students and their leaders braved moose, biting dogs and rude comments in order to present Anchorage and Eagle River residents with the opportunity to purchase spiritually-based books and be prayed for by Christian youth. Halfway through the eight-week long Alaska Youth Challenge campaign, the participants had contacted more than 11,000 homes with sales in excess of $12,500. The offer for prayer in each home is a part of every contact. One man offered to support one of the canvassers financially if she would go to a Christian school.
When asked why she joined the Youth Challenge, Sarah Dobbins stated, “At first my mom forced me to do this, but now it is my choice. I guess I can see that my contact with these people has the potential to change a life.”
Alaska Youth Challenge, part of the Magabook program, has operated for several summers in Alaska. Led by college-aged young people, it is an opportunity for teens and their leaders to experience a daily dependence upon God.
Ellen Hunter from Southwestern Adventist University is participating in Youth Challenge for her fourth year. Cosmin Ionita believes God was specifically calling him to help lead out in Alaska. “I could have earned considerable money at a construction company at home, but instead I left that and my wife to see how God would work here,” he stated. Ionita's wife joined him for the July 4 break.
Two of the teens are repeat participants, and the students often use their earnings to help with school costs.
Alaska Youth Challenge participant, Sarah Dobbins, offers magabooks to residents of Eagle River, Alaska.
Alaska Youth Challenge team of eight Anchorage teens, under the leadership of Cosmin Ionita, right, and Ellen Hunter, center, begins each day with group worship asking God's blessing on each contact.
