Our Mission: Bridging Traditions
The desire of Alaskan Orthodox-Evangelical Dialogue is to build bridges between Orthodox Christians and Protestant Evangelicals in Alaska. We aim to bring people together to learn from each other’s traditions, cultures, histories, and spiritualities. Our purpose is to explore how these two vibrant traditions in Alaska can co-operate—or at least co-exist without suspicion and animosity—in presenting the Gospel. The command to make disciples, as entrusted by Christ (Matthew 28), is at the heart of our shared mission. We are committed to creating and supporting sustainable networks of contact and friendship between our two traditions.
United for Alaska's Future
We are dedicated to exploring how the Evangelical and Orthodox traditions can continue to co-operate, or at minimum co-exist without suspicion and animosity, in presenting the Gospel. The divine command to 'be disciples' and 'make disciples' lies at the core of Christ’s commission to his Church, and thus, at the heart of God’s mission in which we participate. By fostering understanding and collaboration, we aim to create positive change and resolve disunity within the Alaskan Christian community. We seek to establish and sustain networks of contact and friendship, ensuring our collective impact for the Gospel is stronger and more unified.
Fostering deeper connections
Beyond our annual conference, the Alaskan Orthodox-Evangelical Dialogue is committed to encouraging members of both traditions to engage in deeper spiritual growth and community building. We actively promote prayer for one another and encourage joint study of Scripture. Our initiatives focus on building mutual understanding, respect, and appreciation for each other’s unique traditions and practices. We strive to promote collaboration in mission wherever possible, facilitating short-term and long-term partnerships, and enabling the exchange and sharing of resources for effective outreach.
The power of unity in Christ
When you reflect on our mission, we want you to grasp the profound truth of Jesus’ prayer in John’s Gospel: “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” The reality is, effective evangelism requires our collective strength. Disagreements, bitterness, and backbiting hinder our ability to reach the world. The ultimate goal of ecumenism must be the salvation of the world. Jesus makes it clear: we cannot achieve this alone; we need everyone. Our hope is for people to see this essential unity amidst our diversities, to see through the spectrum to the one pure light.
"The commitment to unity shown by the Alaskan Orthodox-Evangelical Dialogue is truly inspiring. Their work is vital for demonstrating Christ's love to our community by fostering understanding and collaboration."
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