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By Bob Clark, Pastor
Unalaska Christian Fellowship, Dutch Harbor/Unalaska, Alaska Out on the edge of the earth, in the Aleutian islands of Alaska, you will find Dutch Harbor/Unalaska (two names but one town), the number one fishing port in America. Known as the last frontier, millions of pounds of fish are loaded and unloaded commercially each year, and the fishermen have maintained a reputation for being ruff and wild, necessary traits as crabbing in the Bearing Sea has been considered the most dangerous job in America. In the midst of this life on the edge, in a town full of “extremes”—extreme location, extreme weather, and an extremely dangerous industry—stands Unalaska Christian Fellowship, a small church with 180 in attendance. Unalaska Christian Fellowship (UCF) is a unique, multi ethnic, multi language family equally diverse in denominational backgrounds all holding together onto Jesus as their source of life. For the majority of the 4000 full time residents and up to 10,000 seasonal residents, the only purpose for being in Dutch Harbor/Unalaska is the money. 16 hour days, seven days a week is a very common work schedule. Though this may not be unique in the bush of Alaska, the result of this pursuit of money has left the men working or drinking and the women running every civic and cultural entity of the community.
The men have truly abdicated themselves from their responsibility. The community has grown as the fishing industry has changed and more families have braved the conditions to live here. With the growth, UCF began to see the great need to encourage men to invest in their families, marriages and relationship with God even though their work can be long and intense.
In May of 2003, UCF hosted a Men's Dinner with 77 men (12 yrs and up) in attendance. The purpose of the dinner was to discuss the need to be better connected with each other and our families. The outcome was a strong desire to do something, but at the time we didn't know what it would be. As one of the pastors, I started a search for anything that was focused on encouraging men but was more than a few weeks book study. I was disappointed that there were so few resources available. Then, through a long list of shirt tail connections, I purchased the first DVD in The Quest for Authentic Manhood series. I truly believe it was the hand of God that directed me to Men's Fraternity. Last October, a group of 45 men gathered for a bar-b-que to view the first session. The men were excited so we stepped out in faith, purchased the series, and started meeting weekly with 43 men at three different times and settings.
I have to admit, my expectations were low as I had little experience seeing men gather in small groups for discussion. What transpired over the next 24 weeks was the miraculous touch of God. By the sixth week of the study not only were men engaging—they didn't even wait for the discussion questions but just jumped into deep interaction–but tears were flowing freely and unashamedly.
In January, the worst weather but the busiest fishing and work season was on us. Our 43 dropped to 23 as work limited attendance but not interest. By the second half of the series, tears had ebbed, but the determination and hunger was spiked. Week after week the light bulbs kept turning on in men's hearts as we all saw things that finally made sense. What a blessing this study has been for us. For the first time in the history of this congregation, the men not only have the desire to pursue so much more but are committed to doing so TOGETHER!
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