Simply put--an entire generation!

Although a place of natural splendor, the inhospitable arctic region of western Alaska is dotted by over 230 remote villages where thousands of people live in third-world conditions where spiritual oppression, alcohol, drugs, sexual abuse, and suicide are the norms.

Unfortunately, in addition to the isolation, extreme weather, inadequate housing, and high cost of living, Alaska has the highest rate of rape in the country; Alaska Native women are more than two times more likely to be sexually assaulted than women of all other ethnicities in the US. And almost unimaginably, in four out of five sexual assault cases the assailants are relatives, friends, or acquaintances.

Both the Native infant mortality rate and fetal alcohol syndrome rate are more than twice the national average.  Nearly one in every eight Native males between the ages of 14 and 17 has been in, or is in, juvenile detention during the year. More than 21 percent of Alaska Native families live below the poverty line income.  The murder rate among Alaska natives is four times the national average, and virtually half of the suicides in the Native community are committed by 15-to-24-year-olds. 

Behind each of these statistics is a ruined life, a ruined family. Dan Sullivan, Alaska Attorney General

These real life problems make the inhospitable terrain, weather, and living conditions pale in comparison.  These conditions are having a diminishing effect upon the native culture and heritage, and if nothing is done, many more adults and children will be lost to this spiral of darkness and neglect; the culture will be gone forever; and the government will spend more and more money trying to solve a hopeless problem.

Fortunately there is hope: Jesus Christ's unconditional love.

...Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.   Luke 10:27

Ready to reach the next generation, Pastors, missionaries, evangelists, Bible camps, churches, and other ministry agencies are working to not only meet the basic physical needs of the Alaskan people, but are also working to bring the life changing power of Christ to their communities. 

During the summer, Bible camps offer the children a safe environment where they can experience unconditional love--perhaps the first time in their young lives.  Many young native Alaskans come to know the Lord through this venue, and MARC helps provide that love and transportation to & from their villages.

Ministering in the villages themselves requires a true commitment and dedication.  You can't just walk into a village and be successful.  Relationships of trust have to be nurtured over a long period of time to reach the adult generation.  That's why the work of pastors and missionary families living and ministering in the villages is critically important.  To be successful in this difficult environment, these "front-line warriors" need a reliable network of support and encouragement.  MARC is that "lifeline" of support.