Covenant News

Alaska Teens 'Invade' Chicago on Mission Trip

CHICAGO, IL (August 18, 2005) - Nine teenagers from Alaska have been carrying out a "Northern Invasion" of Chicago, as they helped with a Vacation Bible School (VBS) at North Park Covenant Church this week and toured other parts of the city.

It has been a cultural learning experience for everyone involved says Blacke Wangberg, one of the Alaskan teens. "A lot of the kids think (we) live in igloos," says Wangberg, 14, with a laugh.

For the Covenant students from Mat-Su Covenant Church in Wasilla, near Anchorage, it was their first opportunity to work in a multicultural setting. Most of their cultural stereotypes came from TV, says Scott Sagle, the youth pastor at Mat-Su Covenant Church. Being in the city helped the students move beyond stereotypes.

The idea for the trip was planted at CHIC 2003. "It was a very powerful time for our group," Sagle says. "We had some first-time conversions, and a lot of the kids deepened their relationship with God."

When the triennial event was over, "The kids asked if they could come to the lower 48 for a mission trip," he says.

The trip has continued the growing experience that began at CHIC, Sagle says. "We have some girls who are very shy and they came out of their shells and became leaders and really cared about their kids."

During the past week, the Alaskan students have led the VBS that involved about 50 children, including several from other neighboring Covenant churches, including Cuyler, Grace and Immanuel Covenant churches. Each day's sessions extended from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The students arrived August 2 and toured the city for several days. In addition to visiting the regular tourist sites, the students also toured Jesus People USA Covenant Church and North Park University. "It's never too early for them to be thinking about college," Sagle says.

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