How'd you hear about this opportunity?
I first heard of A Christian Ministry in the National Parks (ACMNP), 2 years ago while at a large group meeting with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, a Christian club on my college campus. I talked to the recruiter and got a few materials from him. It sounded like something that I would really enjoy to be a part of but a lot to handle while in college (but many college and seminary students do do it over their summer breaks). Anyway, I completely forgot about it after that school year. Fast forward (ok not FAST forward) to January 2011, while I was cleaning my glove compartment, I came across the sticker that I got from the recruiter 2 years ago. I looked them up, read everything on their website and applied. A couple weeks later, ACMNP offered me a placement to my first choice of park, Denali. After a couple of days praying and determining whether this was what God wanted me to do, I accepted the call. Then I just had to apply for a job with ARAMARK, the concessionaire that owns resorts and tours on and off the park.
Where are you going?
To Denali National Park in Alaska. It's located 4 hours north of Anchorage and about 2 hours southwest of Fairbanks.
How long you gonna be there?
4 1/2 months
What will you be doing with this ministry?
Telling people about Jesus by helping plan and lead a multi-denominational worship service(s) IN Denali National Park! The purpose of ACMNP is to provide worship opportunities for park visitors, seasonal employees and National Park Service employees. The mission is to bear witness the love of Jesus Christ for all people and God's care for creation. (acmnp.com). The only difference from doing ministry there versus here is the location. THAT IS IT. God uses us where we're at and we are called to share the good news of Jesus with whomever and wherever he has placed us. I am thankful to be able to go to Alaska though.
What is this job you'll be working?
I'll be working a full-time job as a Houseperson/Porter at McKinley Chalet Resort (right outside the park). There were three different places that I could have applied to and my first two choices were jobs inside the park. Housekeeping was my third choice and the only one open when I had my interview. I was told that I won't be cleaning 12 rooms a day but rather have a lot of guest interaction delivering things to rooms, restocking all the housekeeping closets at each building and driving an ATV around. I wanted a job that would allow me to be with guests anyway, that's why my first choice was Baggage Claim Attendant. I know, huh? I picked housekeeping as my third choice because I didn't want retail, but thank God for answering my prayers by giving me a job that will still let me be able to interact with a lot of guests. I guess room attendants (or maids) can have good guest interactions too, but then again, you have to clean many rooms your whole shift so that'll be a lot of work and not a lot of time to talk.
So really...
I'll be volunteering with ACMNP while getting paid by ARAMARK. ACMNP and ARAMARK are not affiliated with each other, but ACMNP were our good references so that we could have a paying job while doing ministry.
When do you leave?
Monday, May 16th :( but :)
So the sun will be out all night?
Kinda. It won't be dark dark but will be dusk for about 4 hours then the sun will rise again. It differs depending where you are in Alaska.
Those are just a few FAQs. More will probably pop up when I'm not staying up late typing this, but there you have the details for now.
