Alaska Conference

Alaska Men's Retreat

Each year in July the men of the Alaska Conference and their guests mount up on their ATV’s, airplanes, mountain bikes, or hike on foot to our wilderness camp on Caribou Creek in the Talkeetna Mountains.  This is a camping trip with a spiritual emphasis.  We each bring enough camping gear and food to survive for at least three days in the wilderness. 

We have been blessed to have some of the best speakers within the Adventist church.  The general theme is about being better men for God and family.  The 2012 retreat will be held July 20-22 featuring speaker Dick Duerksen.

Dick Duerksen is Assistant to the President of Maranatha Volunteers International where he uses words and photos to share stories of God’s Grace.  Dick has worked within the Seventh-day Adventist church as a pastor, administrator, editor, planner and consultant for creative ministry.  He also has spent nine years leading Florida Hospital’s focus on the mission of “Extending the healing ministry of Christ.”

In his Maranatha responsibilities, Dick hosts a weekly television show, Maranatha Mission Stories, and authors a variety of articles and stories for the organization. Additionally, Dick and his wife Brenda work as “storycatchers” while traveling to Maranatha project sites around the world.

As Maranatha’s Medical Projects Specialist, Brenda’s skills as a registered nurse and health educator are invaluable as she guides volunteer groups who choose to conduct international health clinics.

Dick also edits “Grow My School,” a newsletter for marketing Seventh-day Adventist schools in the North American Division, and provides “environmental impact” photographs for a variety of hospitals, magazines and spiritual displays.

Brenda and Dick are celebrating 42 years of marriage and enjoy spending time with the families of their three children—Jeremy and Suzanne in Colorado; Julene and Rouru – and Griffyn, and Gwen in New Zealand; and Joy and Brian in Southern California.

Blessings,
Danny Whatley
Men's Ministries Coordinator
cubdriver4136@gci.net
Hm:  907-745-5221