Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, April 18, 2007

RANKIN INLET - Hundreds of Christian worshippers made their way to Rankin Inlet for the Arctic Bible Conference earlier this month.

This year marked the first time Rankin has hosted the non-denominational event, which organizers are calling a rousing success.

Pastor Rosemary Sandy heads the Glad Tidings Church in Rankin.

Sandy said the conference was broadcast on local cable TV as well as on the Internet.

She said a number of Rankin residents had their cable hooked back up so they could watch the conference.

"All the sessions, morning, afternoon and evening, were very well attended," said Sandy.

"We had about 500 or more people attend every night and that number might even have been a bit higher on opening night.

"The event is moved around from year to year and it was announced that Pond Inlet will host the 2008 conference."

Sandy said she would encourage people who have never attended the conference to pick up a set of DVDs to check it out. She said the complete set is available for $300 (CDs can be had for $150) and captures the Rankin conference from opening night until its final gathering.

"When I went to the Iqaluit conference, I bought DVDs and brought them back to Rankin to share with people.

"Elders Robert and Annie Tatty bought a DVD player just so they could watch them.

"They got so interested in the conference from watching the DVDs that they travelled to Coral Harbour when it was held there two years ago.

"So, the DVDs are a great way of checking out the conference to see if it's something you may want to attend some day."

Sandy said a lot of work goes into hosting the Arctic Bible Conference.

She said she started planning and preparing for the event when she first heard it was coming to Rankin this past January.

"I formed committees for billeting, setting up the gym, looking after the feast, welcoming people and many other activities.

"We would get together every week to discuss what else had to be done because hosting this event is such a big job.

"A number of people from outside the community said Rankin was a very welcoming community and the people went out of their way to help them out and make them feel at home during their stay.

"They really had a great time in Rankin, so that was thanks enough for the work we did."