Alaska
Mission Trips

Alaskans are a diverse group of people with a strong sense of independence. Alaska is world-famous for its fishing, ice glaciers, and beautiful mountains. During the winter months, many towns seem calm and quiet, but during the summer months, these same locations come “alive” with thousands of tourists flocking north to fish, hunt, hike, visit glaciers, charter cruises, and see for themselves the natural beauty of Alaska.

Alaska’s greatest challenges are the limitations they experience due to long, harsh winters, isolation, homelessness, alcoholism, drugs, and teen suicide. The long months of darkness create for many a problem with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) which, when coupled with a lack of sense in purpose and boredom, can equate to engaging in self-destructive behaviors to alter moods or fill the time. The large natural gas and oil industry has come into Alaska, which provides jobs for many who live there. However, when these industries close down or move out, many workers are then left jobless. This contributes greatly to the number of homeless people living in metropolitan areas.

The capital of Alaska is Juneau, though half of the population of Alaska lives in Anchorage. Anchorage is a southern city located just north of the Kenai Peninsula and along the Cook Inlet. It’s a cultural melting pot where Alaskans, migrants from the lower 48, and a broad range of Alaska Natives and other cultures have come together. Anchorage is also known for having a large young adult population. It’s the landing spot for many travelers, and military units are also based out of Anchorage. 

To the short-term mission participant, Alaska will yield both well-populated metropolitan areas such as Anchorage and rural, close-knit small towns. During the summer months, the land is lush with green vegetation and mountains are seemingly everywhere. For our teams serving in Anchorage or along the peninsula, the crystal Pacific waters are a main feature. And for our teams serving north of the city, dense forests and roads winding through the mountains result in a trip to look forward to.

Climate

As Alaska is the northernmost and largest state, its climate varies greatly by region. The southeast panhandle, including the capital Juneau, as well as the southern coastal regions, including Anchorage, are the wettest and warmest regions of Alaska due to their proximity to the water. Many of the locations where we serve feature a subarctic climate with short, cool summers. The western part of the state varies from having weather similar to the South, and then more extreme cold in the North. However, one northern stretch is technically a desert due to a lack of precipitation! The farthest northern region stretches into the Arctic Circle where their summer peak barely rises above freezing temperatures. And lastly, the interior of Alaska yields a true continental subarctic climate with extreme temperatures. The hottest and coldest temperatures recorded in Alaska have occurred in this area, near Fairbanks.

Language

English is the official and predominantly spoken language in Alaska. However, nearly 20% of Alaskans speak a language other than English at home. There are 20 officially recognized indigenous languages spoken in Alaska and 5.2% of the population speak these as their primary language.

Safety

Alaska is considered very safe for travelers and tourists. Throughout your trip, your PPM staff and partners will hold the safety and security of your team as a top priority.

The cost of living in Alaska is approximately 25% higher than the national average due to so many items and materials needing to be imported. Today's economy in Alaska is based on oil production, fishing, research and development, and tourism. 

The currency in Alaska is the American dollar. 

Alaskan food is similar to that of the lower 48 states with a variety of restaurant options. Much of their food, especially in the winter season, has to be imported. However, when it’s in season, the seafood that becomes available is arguably the best in the world, particularly the salmon! Meals will otherwise be similar to that of the other domestic locations where our teams serve.

The majority of Alaska’s activities involve the outdoors. Hiking and fishing are the major activities locals enjoy. In the more populated areas, a larger variety of entertainment options become available, such as museums, animal parks, and local restaurants. Tourists especially like to book cruises, sightsee, and visit the national parks and glaciers.

In the mid-17th century, the first Russian settlement was built, and they later carried out an expanded colonization program during the early-to-mid-19th century. However, this was deemed unprofitable to Russia, and in 1867, the land was sold to the United States for $7.2 million in what was called the Alaska Purchase. This area became a territory of the United States in 1912, and officially became a state in 1959.

Less than 35% of Alaskans claim a religion of any kind. Of those that do, most are either Roman Catholic or a variation of Protestantism. Because there are many small, sparsely populated towns scattered throughout Alaska’s mainland and islands, many of the Protestant denominations cooperate together and have divided up the areas in which they build churches or do ministry. This was done so as not to overwhelm the smaller towns with too many church options and denominations to choose from; the important thing is spreading the Gospel throughout all of Alaska!