Rick Steele
Executive Pastor
Scott Merriner
Pastor of Vision & Preaching
Life in Christ For Every Alaskan means we are called to ministry in rural Alaskan communities. Our presence in Kotzebue and Marshall are exciting first steps! However, the past 100 years of gospel work in Alaska makes clear that financially sustaining ministry efforts off the road system is a major challenge. ChangePoint’s Rural Alaska Ministry Endowment fund will provide stable, sustainable revenue for long-term, life-changing ministry across Alaska!
Our current working capital account is lower that we would like given the scope of our ministries. Foundations will put us in a healthier financial position and allow us to move quickly when God brings ministry opportunities.
The first reason to be part of Foundations is to help see more people come to know and follow Christ! Over the years, God has used capital campaigns to dramatically expand our ministries. We believe God will do that again through Foundations, making it possible for us to reach tens of thousands more people with the good news of Jesus!
We are raising our family in the church that raised us! We both have memories of Sunday school at the Sentry Drive campus. We remember the capital campaign to purchase the seafood plant
– writing prayers in Sharpie on the concrete floor with the rest of the congregation as the building was dedicated to the Lord. Shayla was baptized in the auditorium shortly after we moved in.
We attended youth group together in middle and high school. Our friend groups were different, but we were at all the same events and share many of the same memories (retreats at Victory Bible Camp and Camp Maranatha, crazy games at Valley of the Moon park, etc.). We went on the inaugural mission trip to Costa Rica in 2009 and were in a gospel-presentation skit together in which Ben played the part of Shayla’s lover and then left her broken-hearted!
Though we attended college in different states, Ben expressed interest in Shayla at a ChangePoint evening service the summer after our freshman year. After almost two years of long-distance dating, we got married in the ChangePoint auditorium in July 2015. After 8 years away for Ben’s medical training, we finally moved back to Alaska with our two children in summer 2023 and stepped right back into life at ChangePoint. Our youngest daughter Annie was born earlier this year. All three kids have been dedicated to the Lord at ChangePoint and it is amazing to at last be “home,” getting to raise them up in the community that raised us!
So many people at ChangePoint have invested in our lives. “Grown-ups” who mentored us as kids/teens have turned into friends, and some are now investing in the lives of our kids. We are excited about all that the Lord has for our church family in the years to come. Let’s keep ChangePoint going strong for the next generation… for our kids!
– writing prayers in Sharpie on the concrete floor with the rest of the congregation as the building was dedicated to the Lord. Shayla was baptized in the auditorium shortly after we moved in.
We attended youth group together in middle and high school. Our friend groups were different, but we were at all the same events and share many of the same memories (retreats at Victory Bible Camp and Camp Maranatha, crazy games at Valley of the Moon park, etc.). We went on the inaugural mission trip to Costa Rica in 2009 and were in a gospel-presentation skit together in which Ben played the part of Shayla’s lover and then left her broken-hearted!
Though we attended college in different states, Ben expressed interest in Shayla at a ChangePoint evening service the summer after our freshman year. After almost two years of long-distance dating, we got married in the ChangePoint auditorium in July 2015. After 8 years away for Ben’s medical training, we finally moved back to Alaska with our two children in summer 2023 and stepped right back into life at ChangePoint. Our youngest daughter Annie was born earlier this year. All three kids have been dedicated to the Lord at ChangePoint and it is amazing to at last be “home,” getting to raise them up in the community that raised us!
So many people at ChangePoint have invested in our lives. “Grown-ups” who mentored us as kids/teens have turned into friends, and some are now investing in the lives of our kids. We are excited about all that the Lord has for our church family in the years to come. Let’s keep ChangePoint going strong for the next generation… for our kids!
Our Changepoint story begins with my dad, a pastor in India. Back in June 2015, Josh and I were 22-year-old college graduates, and found ourselves moving to Alaska—definitely not a place either of us had imagined as our next step. As we began the search for a church, my dad was attending a pastors' conference in the Lower 48. His roommate at the conference happened to be from Alaska and, upon hearing about our move, strongly recommended we visit ChangePoint, calling it a Bible-believing church worth checking out.
My dad, understandably anxious about my move to Alaska, flew up the week after the conference. That Sunday, we attended our first service at Changepoint. Afterward, we had a casual conversation with Dan Jarrell about the church and its core beliefs—and the rest is history.
Over the past 10 years, Changepoint has become so much more than a church with a huge building, contemporary worship, and a cool kids program to us; it's our home church. Scott Merriner married us at Hilltop Chalet—a fun story in itself. We've found lifelong friends here, our children have been dedicated here and get to grow up surrounded by loving, adopted grandparents from the congregation. We've found our amazing life group here as well.
We continue to be inspired by Changepoint’s vision for the next generation, the transparency and integrity of its financial stewards, and the church’s constant encouragement to live in community with others. Our family spends much of the week in secular environments, so being able to start our week worshiping alongside fellow believers, engaging in ministry, watching our kids' faith grow, and digging deeper into the Word with our life group is something we deeply treasure.
My dad, understandably anxious about my move to Alaska, flew up the week after the conference. That Sunday, we attended our first service at Changepoint. Afterward, we had a casual conversation with Dan Jarrell about the church and its core beliefs—and the rest is history.
Over the past 10 years, Changepoint has become so much more than a church with a huge building, contemporary worship, and a cool kids program to us; it's our home church. Scott Merriner married us at Hilltop Chalet—a fun story in itself. We've found lifelong friends here, our children have been dedicated here and get to grow up surrounded by loving, adopted grandparents from the congregation. We've found our amazing life group here as well.
We continue to be inspired by Changepoint’s vision for the next generation, the transparency and integrity of its financial stewards, and the church’s constant encouragement to live in community with others. Our family spends much of the week in secular environments, so being able to start our week worshiping alongside fellow believers, engaging in ministry, watching our kids' faith grow, and digging deeper into the Word with our life group is something we deeply treasure.
We never imagined we would be building our life in a tiny Alaskan village, but it is here that we have met God most deeply. Jacob and I became childhood friends in Ohio, and when his family moved to Alaska we kept in touch as pen pals. Jacob grew up flying with his uncle out to Alaskan villages to do Bible clubs for kids and felt God calling him into missions. After a year of college, Jacob was unsure about his path. He suspended his studies and joined the maintenance team at ChangePoint. When his family moved back to Ohio, we reconnected, began dating, attended different Bible schools, got married, and finished Bible college side by side.
All this while I was fighting for my life with Lyme disease. I had my first seizures on our honeymoon. Thankfully, the Lord brought healing. We began dreaming about where God would lead us. I remember thinking, “I hope it is somewhere warm!” When my mother-in-law mentioned ChangePoint needed people in Marshall, Alaska, I looked at Jacob and said “Ha, that’s not happening!” But the Lord changed my heart, and we spent last July visiting the community. That month in Marshall confirmed that the Lord was leading us to minister here. God helped us raise support much faster than expected, and we moved permanently in February.
We want to be servants and learners. We have been making friends, building relationships, and becoming part of the community. We love the people! We pray that God would sustain them and lengthen their days. We pray for softened hearts, healing in families, and a desire for the Word of God. Marshall is perfectly located to be a lighthouse, a place for the light of Jesus to go out to the surrounding villages. We are so thankful God led ChangePoint and us here!
All this while I was fighting for my life with Lyme disease. I had my first seizures on our honeymoon. Thankfully, the Lord brought healing. We began dreaming about where God would lead us. I remember thinking, “I hope it is somewhere warm!” When my mother-in-law mentioned ChangePoint needed people in Marshall, Alaska, I looked at Jacob and said “Ha, that’s not happening!” But the Lord changed my heart, and we spent last July visiting the community. That month in Marshall confirmed that the Lord was leading us to minister here. God helped us raise support much faster than expected, and we moved permanently in February.
We want to be servants and learners. We have been making friends, building relationships, and becoming part of the community. We love the people! We pray that God would sustain them and lengthen their days. We pray for softened hearts, healing in families, and a desire for the Word of God. Marshall is perfectly located to be a lighthouse, a place for the light of Jesus to go out to the surrounding villages. We are so thankful God led ChangePoint and us here!
Our Foundations campaign is a powerful opportunity for each of us to grow spiritually! Time and again God makes clear in his Word that as we trust and follow him with our finances and possessions, it builds our faith.
As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
Luke 21:1-4
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Luke 21:1-4
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
We invite you to take a 3-week spiritual journey to ask God what he would have you give to Foundations.
Sunday
Romans 5:8. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Reflection: My sinfulness is greater than I know; but God’s love for me is infinitely greater than my sin!
Monday
Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Reflection: Thanks to Jesus, I have been spared the judgement my sins deserve and will instead enjoy life in heaven for eternity!
Tuesday
Ephesians 2:8-9. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Reflection: My salvation is entirely thanks to God; the only thing I do is receive and enjoy!
Wednesday
Romans 8:9. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.
Reflection: The Holy Spirit—God himself—lives in me!
Thursday
2nd Corinthians 5:17. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Reflection: God is making everything new for me!
Friday
2nd Peter 1:3. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Reflection: In Christ I always possess the ability to follow God’s best plan for my life!
Saturday
Romans 8:17. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Reflection: Christ is my brother and shares everything with me!
Romans 5:8. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Reflection: My sinfulness is greater than I know; but God’s love for me is infinitely greater than my sin!
Monday
Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Reflection: Thanks to Jesus, I have been spared the judgement my sins deserve and will instead enjoy life in heaven for eternity!
Tuesday
Ephesians 2:8-9. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Reflection: My salvation is entirely thanks to God; the only thing I do is receive and enjoy!
Wednesday
Romans 8:9. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.
Reflection: The Holy Spirit—God himself—lives in me!
Thursday
2nd Corinthians 5:17. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Reflection: God is making everything new for me!
Friday
2nd Peter 1:3. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Reflection: In Christ I always possess the ability to follow God’s best plan for my life!
Saturday
Romans 8:17. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Reflection: Christ is my brother and shares everything with me!
Sunday
Acts 4:11-12. Jesus is “the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.” Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Reflection: Every person who does not place saving faith in Jesus faces eternal death.
Monday
Matthew 28:19-20. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Reflection: Our “Great Commission” from Jesus is to help others know and follow him.
Tuesday
2nd Corinthians 5:20. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Reflection: God uses us to “make his appeal” of salvation.
Wednesday
Romans 10:14-15. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Reflection: We have so many reasons to share Jesus with people!
Thursday
1st Corinthians 9:22-23. ...I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
Reflection: We should do everything possible to help people follow Jesus.
Friday
1st Peter 3:15. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Reflection: Our goal is to win people, not arguments.
Saturday
Romans 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes….
Reflection: God will help us be courageous, powerful proclaimers of our Lord Jesus.
Acts 4:11-12. Jesus is “the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.” Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Reflection: Every person who does not place saving faith in Jesus faces eternal death.
Monday
Matthew 28:19-20. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Reflection: Our “Great Commission” from Jesus is to help others know and follow him.
Tuesday
2nd Corinthians 5:20. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Reflection: God uses us to “make his appeal” of salvation.
Wednesday
Romans 10:14-15. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Reflection: We have so many reasons to share Jesus with people!
Thursday
1st Corinthians 9:22-23. ...I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
Reflection: We should do everything possible to help people follow Jesus.
Friday
1st Peter 3:15. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Reflection: Our goal is to win people, not arguments.
Saturday
Romans 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes….
Reflection: God will help us be courageous, powerful proclaimers of our Lord Jesus.
Sunday
Proverbs 3:9. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
Reflection: The first thing we should do with financial income is honor God with it.
Monday
Matthew 6:19-21. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Reflection: What we do with money reveals which we treasure more: temporary pleasures or eternal rewards.
Tuesday
Hebrews 13:16. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Reflection: God is pleased when we sacrifice to bless others.
Wednesday
2nd Corinthians 8:1-3. And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.
Reflection: God stands ready to give us the grace we need to give with joy beyond what seems doable.
Thursday
1st Timothy 6:17-19. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Reflection: Spiritual riches flow from rich generosity.
Friday
2nd Corinthians 9:6-7. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Reflection: God invites us to joyfully ask him what we should give, and to joyfully anticipate the reward.
Saturday
Philippians 4:19. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: Sacrificial giving requires us to trust God to meet our needs.
Proverbs 3:9. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
Reflection: The first thing we should do with financial income is honor God with it.
Monday
Matthew 6:19-21. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Reflection: What we do with money reveals which we treasure more: temporary pleasures or eternal rewards.
Tuesday
Hebrews 13:16. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Reflection: God is pleased when we sacrifice to bless others.
Wednesday
2nd Corinthians 8:1-3. And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.
Reflection: God stands ready to give us the grace we need to give with joy beyond what seems doable.
Thursday
1st Timothy 6:17-19. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Reflection: Spiritual riches flow from rich generosity.
Friday
2nd Corinthians 9:6-7. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Reflection: God invites us to joyfully ask him what we should give, and to joyfully anticipate the reward.
Saturday
Philippians 4:19. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: Sacrificial giving requires us to trust God to meet our needs.
Take the time you need to pray and ask the Lord how He would have you invest over and above your regular giving toward Foundations.
Record your planned giving in the Commitment Card and return it to the church.
We are emphasizing participation and hope to see every person who considers ChangePoint their church home involved in Foundations.
Even a small gift, given regularly, can add up to a substantial donation over time.
The only amount that God can’t multiply is zero.
