Toward the end of summer 2025, 11 young adults from GYC Northwest in the United States landed in Togiak, Alaska, eager to serve during a weeklong mission trip. GYC Northwest, the regional chapter of Generation. Youth. Christ. (GYC), is a movement dedicated to equipping and inspiring young people to study the Bible, strengthen their faith, and share Jesus with others.

The team originally chose Togiak, a remote village in western Alaska, because it rarely receives missionary groups. Participants shared that after prayerful consideration, they felt God calling them to this community.

Upon arrival, they unloaded gear at the local church and met Vecous Waite, a bivocational pastor who had arrived the day before. Together they prayed and prepared for a full schedule, including community meals, health programs, an evangelistic series for adults, and evening Vacation Bible School for children. They also planned to repair the Church’s baptistry.

On Friday and Saturday (Sabbath), the team went door to door, inviting residents to the events. This was GYC Northwest’s second trip to Togiak, and reconnecting with old friends was a highlight. When one local called the evangelistic series an “adult Bible study,” the name stuck.

Each day began with worship and united prayer, followed by preparations for programs or work on the baptistry. Supplies for the repair were scarce, but the team witnessed God’s timing.

“I wasn’t sure how to get concrete to Togiak affordably,” said Erik Hunt, project leader, “but God worked out every detail, from a pilot’s unexpected route to Fairbanks, to the hardware store having exactly what we needed.”

Community meals and health talks drew strong interest. Using the Seventh-day Adventist Church's NEWSTART format, a missionary nurse shared principles of healthy living, followed by Bible studies.

One woman who came for health talks stayed for every Bible study and ultimately gave her heart to Jesus, quit smoking and drinking, and began reading Adventist pioneer Ellen G. White’s book Steps to Christ. Another attendee expressed a desire for baptism.

Evenings were filled with Vacation Bible School activities. Attendance averaged 45-50 children, and many responded to appeals to follow Jesus.

Before leaving, the team installed a weather-resistant sign for the church.

“Seeing kids and adults so joyful was incredible,” Huntsaid. “And working alongside like-minded young adults was inspiring.”

The missionaries say they left Togiak grateful for God’s blessings and will pray for the work He will continue to do in Alaska.

Generation. Youth. Christ. is a supporting ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The original article was published on the North Pacific Union Conference news site.