Returning to Alaska, but taking some Weiser with them

During their 12 years pastoring the Weiser Church of the Nazarene, Hunter and Chrissy Mizar’s outreach into the community extended far beyond the church’s walls.

 They weren’t even looking to uproot from here, but a calling came their way this spring that would have been hard for anyone to turn down, since it was taking them back to their own roots in Alaska.

 Even though they made the move right after the school year ended, Hunter responded to a Signal American email, explaining how the church’s process works in choosing someone from the larger pastorate to fill the role of a district superintendent, and how a superintendent’s position varies from that of a local church pastor.

 “I was elected as the District Superintendent of the Alaska Church of the Nazarene on April 25,” Mizar said. “It’s a position in which I will be overseeing 27 of the Nazarene churches across the entire state of Alaska, six of which I will only be able to reach either by ferry or airplane.

 “I will be helping train pastors and leaders to reach their communities; helping resolve problems that the church may face; and helping churches that are in the process of hiring a new pastor,” he said. “This isn’t a position that one can apply for but rather, a search committee from this district was assigned to pursue leaders that might be able to take on the position.”

 Mizar said his name came up because he was born and raised in Alaska, graduating from high school there.

 “Chrissy moved up here when she was 12, and we met and dated all through high school, so this truly is a homecoming situation for both of us,” he said.

 The Mizars arrived in Weiser in 2013 after an eight-year pastorship in Kamiah, with fifth-grade daughter Emma and first-grader son Josh in tow, both now proud Wolverine graduates. For the past 11 years Chrissy has taught school at Pioneer School, beginning as a first grade teacher, but moving into a third grade classroom a few years ago. 

 “Emma recently graduated with a degree in ministry from Northwest Nazarene University and is a pastor in residence in Tumwater, Wash., and Josh has signed with Northwest Nazarene University to play basketball,” Hunter said. “We are hoping that many of our Weiser community will try to get to some games in Nampa to continue to cheer him on.”

 During their time here, Mizar said they discovered a community of parents that were right beside them cheering on their kids in whatever activity they were participating.

 “We will definitely miss the strong sense of community and truly there is no place like Weiser that has a small town feeling where people come together and look out for one another and help their neighbors,” he said. “The Weiser Church of the Nazarene was a tremendously special congregation for us that helped us dream and figure out how to make Weiser a better place.” 

 While here Mizar was heavily involved with Love INC, coaching a variety of sports through the Weiser Recreation Department, participating in the Weiser Little Theater, a member of the Weiser Ministerial Association, along with spending a brief stint with the Chamber of Commerce. With their congregation they developed soccer camps, an annual drive-through Christmas nativity, and became the sponsors of Weiser’s Easter egg hunt.

 “Saying goodbye to the congregation was very difficult because we honestly felt like they had become more than great friends, but many of them had become family,” he said.

 With Josh heading to NNU an hour away from those dependable friendships, the Mizars believe the new opportunity came at a perfect time.

 “This new job as district superintendent requires traveling across the state at least 50 percent of the time, so Chrissy is taking a break from teaching and will be traveling with me for at least the first year to get a sense of the schedule and routine of this new job, but she is planning on doing some substitute teaching as time allows,” he said.  

 “It is with a heartfelt thank you that we extend to the community of Weiser for welcoming us into the community and giving us an incredible 12 years of living in one of the best cities in the world,” they said. “Weiser will always hold a special place in our hearts. It is a great day to be a Wolverine!”