Background
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Northern Canada is a vast area of incredible beauty and stark contrasts that makes up more than one third of the land mass of Canada. The northern regions of the Canadian provinces and the territories of the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut stretch across five time zones, from the Arctic to the Pacific to the Atlantic Oceans, where small communities on rocky, treeless islands are closer to Greenland than they are to any Canadian city.
It is a land of majestic mountains, treeless tundra, glaciers, icebergs, thick forests and almost countless lakes and rivers. It is a land that is covered with snow and ice for more than half of the year. During the short Arctic summer, it is the Land of the Midnight Sun, while in winter, it is a land engulfed in relentless cold and almost endless darkness. The North is home to caribou, moose, wolves, polar bears, muskox, grizzly bears, whales, walrus, seals, eagles, and many other species of birds, marine life and animals. It is a harsh yet fragile, unforgiving land with few roads and even fewer people. For On Eagle’s Wings, northern ministry poses the challenges of severe weather, vast distances and few roads. It also offers deep and lasting relationships between On Eagle’s Wings and people in remote communities. It requires many faithful volunteers and courageous staff. |
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Timeline
1999
On Eagle’s Wings is established by Rev Lee Berry, born out of the passionate support of a small group of individuals in the United States and Canada who are committed to ecumenical ministry in the Arctic. The first Bible Camps are offered in northern communities.
2000
Piper Aztec C-GPQA is donated to facilitate ministry in remote communities. On Eagle’s Wings is incorporated in Canada and the USA and establishes offices in Edmonton, Alberta and Lansdale, Pennsylvania.
2002
AnnE Zimmerman becomes Director of Ministry.
2005
Rev Lesley Hand becomes Pastor for Northern Alberta and Saskatchewan and expands the ministry area into those provinces. Piper Aztec C-GEHH is donated.
2007
On Eagle’s Wings moves into its permanent ‘home’ in west Edmonton.
2008
AnnE Zimmerman becomes Executive Director. Year-round weekend Bible Camps become a regular feature of ministry in northern Alberta.
2013
Piper Aztec C-GEHH is decommissioned. Melissa May becomes Diaconal Minister for the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
2014
Rev Lesley Hand becomes Executive Director.
2017
The first winter ‘Ice Road Disciples’ ministry trips take place in the Northwest Territories, offering children’s and youth ministries and leadership development. Melissa May leaves to become an ordained pastor in the ELCA.
On Eagle’s Wings is established by Rev Lee Berry, born out of the passionate support of a small group of individuals in the United States and Canada who are committed to ecumenical ministry in the Arctic. The first Bible Camps are offered in northern communities.
2000
Piper Aztec C-GPQA is donated to facilitate ministry in remote communities. On Eagle’s Wings is incorporated in Canada and the USA and establishes offices in Edmonton, Alberta and Lansdale, Pennsylvania.
2002
AnnE Zimmerman becomes Director of Ministry.
2005
Rev Lesley Hand becomes Pastor for Northern Alberta and Saskatchewan and expands the ministry area into those provinces. Piper Aztec C-GEHH is donated.
2007
On Eagle’s Wings moves into its permanent ‘home’ in west Edmonton.
2008
AnnE Zimmerman becomes Executive Director. Year-round weekend Bible Camps become a regular feature of ministry in northern Alberta.
2013
Piper Aztec C-GEHH is decommissioned. Melissa May becomes Diaconal Minister for the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
2014
Rev Lesley Hand becomes Executive Director.
2017
The first winter ‘Ice Road Disciples’ ministry trips take place in the Northwest Territories, offering children’s and youth ministries and leadership development. Melissa May leaves to become an ordained pastor in the ELCA.
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