Pray for FT McPherson
Fort McPherson is one of the more accessible communities of the arctic region. Located just off the Dempster Highway approximately 170 miles south of the regional capital Inuvik, Ft McPherson and can be reached by car most of the year. There are however short periods during the fall freeze in October, and the spring melt when it is cut off because the ferries cannot run over the Peal and Mackenzie rivers and the ice bridge is either not formed or is melting. During this time all supplies are flown in prices increase dramatically at the two stores in town, the Northern and the Co-op. These stores carry mostly groceries and a few other items and are about the size of a typical pre Wal-Mart rural grocery store in the US.
As with Old Crow, and Tsiighechic, Ft McPherson’s population consists mainly of Gwich’in people. Legend has it that the people of Ft McPherson and Old Crow are descended from two brothers who settled in the each community long ago. As a result, the people of the communities of Ft McPherson and Tsiighechic share a family tree and many common relatives. As with most other indigenous communities, Ft McPherson still struggles with many of the impacts created by the residential school system of the last generation.
Fort McPherson served as the hub of our exploration this summer. We were blessed to share the home of Paul and Lynn Hanthorn, whom they share with their seven delightful children and one foster child. Paul and Lynn are missionaries with the Northern Canadian Evangelical Mission (NCEM) and he pastors Tetl’it Zhea Christian Fellowship church. Paul and Lynn have served in Ft McPherson for over 16 years and have a great reputation with the people in the community. The church currently meets in their home on Sundays, but they have plans to construct a church building next July to host the Fellowship.
As with many communities in the region, Ft McPherson struggles with the challenges of high unemployment, alcoholism and hopelessness brought on by a community caught in an identity crisis between their traditional culture and the western culture. Paul and Lynn have been faithful in shining the light of Christ here but struggle mightily against the cultural tide of the region.
Specific prayer requests:
Pray for Paul and Lynn and their children to find strength and joy as they minister to the community.
Pray that God provide all the resources to build a church building for the fellowship next summer.
Pray for the continued Spiritual growth of the members of Tetlit Zhea Christian Fellowship.
Pray for Daniel Buelher, SEND missionary as he ministers to the community.
Pray that God will raise up His Church in Ft McPherson to serve as a light to the region.