The Roughton Family - missionaries to Alaska
Taking the SON to the "Land of the Midnight Sun"

Hello,

My name is Bart Roughton and my family and I are on deputation to the field of Alaska, specifically to the villages of Alaska. Alaska is a state of many contrasts. You have volcanic activity and tundra, hot springs and ice flows, glaciers and rain forests, all in one state. It is also the largest state in the union, and a land of 'big things'. Mt Denali is the largest peak in North America at 20, 320ft, the Yukon River is one of the longest navigable rivers, and the Malapina Glacier is larger than the state of Rhode Island. About the only thing that Alaska isn't large in is population. There are about 627,000 people in the state which works out to about 1 person/sq. mile!

Our goal is to establish Bible believing Baptist churches in villages that either have no churches or where there are ones that are perverting the Gospel. By and large, to get into a village you must have an invitation by the tribal leaders. Yes, it is the United States, but things work differently up there. If I could sum up what the need is in the vast majority of villages, it is hope. When you combine the cold, the darkness, the harshness of village life, alcohol, drugs, immorality, and a blinding to the True Light by our adversary (II Corinthians 4:4), you can quickly see a need. They need THE HOPE, Jesus Christ, and that is the message we will be taking to the villages. Nothing else can change them or their situation, but Him.

Our long term goal is to be on the field in July 2009. This June 2008 two of my daughters and I will be traveling back up to work in a Bible Camp and fly in to the village of St. Mary's, the village we are praying about beginning a work in. I am always ready for a chance to visit the villages! Thank you for praying for us as we 'Take the Son to the Land of the Midnight Sun'.