The McMurtry Family: Answering the Call to Alaska

Dear Family and Friends,

Warm greetings from our hearts to yours! As spring draws near, we’re excited to share some big news about a new chapter in our lives and ministry. Your prayers, encouragement, and steadfast support have meant so much to us, and we want to keep you informed as we follow God’s call.

Announcing Our Move: From Oklahoma to Alaska

After much prayer and discernment, Derek will be transitioning from pastoring at First Baptist Chattanooga, OK, to serving as missionaries in Glennallen, Alaska. This move is scheduled for May 2026, and while it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to our friends and family, we’re filled with hope and anticipation for what lies ahead.

Home Purchase Update: New Roots in Glennallen

We’re thrilled to share that we are officially under contract for a home in Glennallen! This marks a significant step in our transition, providing us with a stable base to serve and connect with the local community. Please pray with us for a smooth closing process and all the details that come with settling into a new home.

Fields of Alaska Ministries: Equipping Leaders at Copper Center

Derek is a cofounder of Fields of Alaska Ministries based out of Copper Center, AK. A vital part of our ministry will center around a training facility in Copper Center. This facility will serve as a hub for missionary and pastoral training, leadership development, and outreach efforts. We’re looking forward to seeing how God uses this space to raise up and equip local leaders for gospel work across Alaska.

Ministry Focus Areas: Serving and Planting

Our primary ministry areas will include:

• Supporting Existing Churches: Providing encouragement, resources, and training to local congregations in the Copper River Valley.
• Church Planting in Copperville: Launching a new church plant in Copperville, with the goal of reaching new families and strengthening the Body of Christ in the region.

Our Sending Church

Central Baptist Church in Lawton, Oklahoma, will serve as our sending church. We will collaborate closely with Central Baptist in our mission endeavors. As a sending church, Central Baptist will hold us accountable, both financially and spiritually, ensuring that funds raised are utilized for their intended purpose of advancing the gospel in the Copper River Valley, Alaska. Accountability and transparency to all financial donors are of utmost importance. Central Baptist will be the primary conduit for our fundraising, directing all contributions directly to our mission field. This arrangement provides assurance to individuals who give and other churches that the funds are allocated for gospel ministry. Instructions on how you can give is listed below.

Our Mission and Current Status

We’re almost there! The North American Mission board is about to officially endorse us as missionaries. This is a huge step forward, and it means we’ll be able to serve the people of Alaska and share the love of Christ with communities in the beautiful Copper River Valley. But here’s the thing: to keep doing this amazing work, we need to raise 90% of our support ourselves. The North American mission board will help us out financially, but we won’t be fully funded through them. That’s why it’s so important for local churches and individuals to join us in this mission. In the Bible we don’t see mission boards planting churches; we see churches planting churches. So, we’re asking you to join us in this incredible work. Let’s make a difference together!

Invitation to Partner with Us

We warmly invite our friends, family, and church communities to join us in partnership as we embark on a new chapter of ministry. Having served faithfully in Oklahoma, we are now preparing to transition to missionary work in the Copper River Valley region of Alaska. Your financial support will play a pivotal role in making this transition possible and sustainable.

The Impact of Your Partnership

Your partnership is vital to the fulfillment of our calling. By supporting us financially, and through your continued prayers, you will help ensure that we can continue our ministry and reach the people of Alaska with the message of hope and love in Christ. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those in need and advance the mission to which we have been called.

Ways to pray:

ABIDE IN JESUS

• Trust God for each step we take as we make final preparations for the move.
• Focus on abiding in Christ as a family.
• Encourage conversations that glorify Christ and encourage our kids to persevere in Him.

CONNECTIONS TO BE MADE

• Grow the connection between friends and family and our calling to Alaska.
• Trust the Lord to provide financially.

How to Give

We are encouraging everyone to give financially through Central Baptist Church of Lawton, OK. This will insure accountably that 100% of the funds you give will go to the mission work in Alaska. Consider being a monthly supporter.

Ways to Give

Send a check mail to:

 Central Baptist Church 901 SW B Ave Lawton, OK 73501

Make checks payable to Central Baptist Church and designate in the memo line to Alaska Missions

You can give online by clicking the link below:

giving.lawtoncentral.com

Thank You in Advance

Thank you for standing with us in this journey. Your dedication means more than words can express.

Serving His Bride,

Derek & Val McMurtry