Jennifer Geens
Northern News Services

Baker Lake (July 20/05) - A church youth rally in Baker Lake two weekends ago suffered setback after setback, but the faithful persevered.

About 60 people from communities outside Baker Lake came to the Glad Tidings Youth Rally held June 30-July 6. Many were between the ages of 12 and 25.

At one point, one of the instructors asked everyone under the age of 26 to come up to the altar.

"About one quarter of the floor just stood up," said Joan Kashla, of Glad Tidings church in Baker Lake.

"When I saw that, it made me want to do more for them."

A suicide in the community on the first day of the rally made the goal of promoting positive choices more urgent.

"The rally was an eyeopener in what the young people need across the North. That's why we focus on a positive lifestyle," said Kashla.

One trial after another

"There were a lot of things that happened; one trial after another," she said. "It's just a matter of keeping going, no matter what comes, and everybody supporting each other and helping each other."

When supplies failed to arrive, hotels and community organizations provided food for meals and snacks.

The participants spent days from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. studying lessons from the Bible, and attended services in the evenings.

Three speakers from the south joined five Inuit teachers to conduct the sessions.

Baker Lake youth were a big part of the rally.

"They work very, very hard," said Kashla.

Glad Tidings churches in the Kivalliq region usually hold the annual youth rally in Arviat, but this year Baker Lake was chosen to host the gathering.