Carl & Naomi joined NCEM in the early 1980s. Their service has included Gods’ Lake Narrows and Oxford House (MB), and Pinehouse Lake (SK).
More recently, as honorary missionaries, Carl has found ministry opportunities through his employment. He has worked as a carpenter at McArthur River in northern Saskatchewan, site of the world’s largest high-grade uranium mine. The Epps now live in La Ronge where they have found employment and continued ministry openings among First Nations.
A couple years ago Carl shared about ministry found through employment:
Carl bunks at the mine, one week in, one week out. That gives him plenty of time with his coworkers. “I have prayer and Bible study with some,” he says, “and one-on-one sharing.”
Coffee breaks sometimes give good opportunity. Recently a worker, who was perhaps tired of listening to the other men, asked Carl to tell a story.
Carl told them about his teen years, how he had given his life to Jesus earlier, but how difficult it was being teased and bullied at school. He never fought back, but would just go home and share his struggle with Jesus and ask Him for help.
“Then came Grade 11,” Carl told them, “when I joined the football team. One practice the coach put me on defense, and my opponent was a buddy of the bullies. I must have impressed them because I wasn’t bullied again! I saw it as God’s way of helping me without having to fight back.”
After Carl told this story a coworker asked him questions about his relationship with Christ. And there have been more opportunities as a result of that coffee break.
Opportunities for ministry don’t stop at the mine. The Epps lived for a number of years in the northern Metis community of Pinehouse Lake (SK). They might not have called it church planting, but they’re trusting that their witness will bear fruit. They had a Sunday school ministry – in fact, over 200 kids have attended over the years.
Among other outreaches, Naomi had taught high school to three local teens in their home. Carl found that Pinehouse men who wouldn’t come to their home will talk to him at the mine. People are changing the way they view them, say the Epps. Hearts and homes are opening up.
