White Mountain Covenant Church - Pastor Ross McElwee
Brief History
White Mountain is located on the west bank of the Fish River, near the head of Golovinin Lagoon, on the Seward Peninsula. It is 63 miles east of Nome. It lies at approximately 64 degrees 41' N Latitude, 163 degrees 24' W Longitude (Sec. 26, T009S, R024W, Kateel River Meridian). The community is located in the Cape Nome Recording District. The area encompasses 3 sq. miles of land and 0 sq. miles of water.
The Eskimo fish camp of "Nutchirviq" was located here. The bountiful resources of both the Fish and Niukluk Rivers supported the area's Native populations. White Mountain grew after the influx of prospectors during the gold rush of 1900. The first structure was a warehouse built by the miner Charles lane to store supplies for his claim in the Council District. It was the site of a government-subsidized orphanage, which became an industrial school in 1926. A post office was opened in 1932.
Pastor Profile
My wife, Ruth and I served with Youth With a Mission (YWAM) form 1988-1990. While serving in YWAM, I took part in missions work of all types, from construction and practical "helps" ministry to street evangelism. Have been part of a drama team and have taken part in over one hundred performances evangelistic drama called "Toymaker and Son". Have worked in Chicago, New Orleans, S. East US, Mexico and Caribbean. Our time with YWAM was next spent on staff at the School of the Bible Tyler, TX from 1990-1994. We assisted in the ongoing ministry to students. Was responsible for teaching Greek, Hermenutics (Bible study and interpretation) and Homiletics (preaching, public sharing). Assisted in teaching of core curricula. Assisted school director in editing textbook on Apologetics.
In 1994, YWAM took us to Barbados, West Indies. We moved to this island country in order to help establish YWAM ministry there, specifically to establish a similar Bible-school as in Texas. Worked to adopt culture and lifestyle of predominate people group of the islands. Were the only white family not only in the church where attended, but only white family in church district. Developed taste for local foods. YWAM base leadership took different direction for ministry after our arrival. This unfortunately made our position obsolete. This coupled with complications with pregnancy forced us to leave formal missions in December of that year.
Since that time, I have serves within the local church context while being involved in carpentry and more recently in sales. My church in Texas strongly supports ou family in our new call to White Mountain, Alaska.
