Togiak Welcomes New Bible Worker

Wrangler, guide, pilot, octogenarian and front-line missionary to the arctic — Dan Rotthoff has joined the Arctic Mission Adventure team as a Bible worker in the Native village of Togiak, Alaska.

Three years ago, someone offered to donate money to build a new church and parsonage in the arctic village located on the banks of the Bering Sea. With this assurance, but no money in hand, the conference stepped out in faith and ordered the materials which cost more than sixty thousand dollars plus shipping. Shortly after the supplies arrived, the donor was unable to follow through with the promised donation. Yet, the conference moved ahead and invited Maranatha to help build. As work progressed, members began praying for a worker, and God sent a most unlikely one.

Rotthoff arrived in the village just as one of the coldest winters on record was beginning. He quickly adjusted to the harsh life and has since made remarkable inroads into the village. The Sabbath School and church services have grown, and Rotthoff has a number of Bible studies in the village. Every week or so, there is a phone call from Rotthoff to Ed Dunn, director of the Alaska native work — “I need more Bible studies,” or “I need baptismal certificates.” This is how the Lord is moving to reach these challenging remote areas of the vast North.

The annual Arctic Mission Adventure offering on August 29 will provide additional support for this growing need.

Featured in: August 2009

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