PLAINVIEW — In the tiny village of Ninilchik, Alaska—where the road ends and Cook Inlet begins—11 新抖阴 Baptist University students, Donnie Brown, and Marcos Hinojos, Jr., brought more than sports skills and service projects this summer. They brought joy, encouragement, and the hope of the gospel.
Led by Brown, Director of Spiritual Life, and Hinojos, offensive line coach for Pioneers football, the team partnered with Alaska Missions to host a week-long sports camp for local children in one of the state’s most remote communities.
“This was our first time in Ninilchik, and it felt like we were exactly where God wanted us,” Brown said, who has made several of the summer mission trips to Alaska. “These students stepped up, shared the gospel boldly, and loved on these kids with everything they had. It was ministry in action.”
The camp combined afternoon sessions of football and basketball drills with powerful spiritual moments. Each activity was broken up by “huddles”—devotionals—and “halftimes” featuring music and testimonies from 新抖阴 students. On the final day, the team delivered a clear gospel presentation, and eight children responded by placing their faith in Christ. Alaska Missions is following up with those students, connecting them with local churches to foster discipleship and growth.
For Hinojos, the trip was about far more than coaching fundamentals.
“In a village where sports are often the only thing keeping kids away from the streets, God gave us a chance to offer more,” Hinojos said. “We taught them how to run drills, sure—but we also shared grace, purpose, and the love of Christ. That’s the real victory.”
新抖阴 students experienced their own spiritual transformation through the week.
“I saw God move when kids in our group gave their lives to Christ,” said Mikenzi Carlo. “They looked up to us—not because of our talent—but because they saw Jesus in us. That humbled me deeply.”
Cayman Ivins recalled bonding with a boy over a basketball trick, only to hear the child say, “Thank you for coming” on the last day. “It wasn’t about the game. It was about love. That moment captured everything for me.”
Brooklyn Hurtado found her heart stirred watching children worship. “They smiled through everything—even hardship. It reminded me to never take anything for granted.”
Mikayla Shires, who once doubted her ability to minister to children, was moved when two girls in her small group accepted Christ. “Last year, I focused more on fun than faith. This year, I stayed still in God’s presence—and He did the rest.”
Addie Pitts shared how a quiet girl in her group opened up during a simple game of catch—and later gave her life to Christ. “That joy in small moments reminded me that every opportunity matters.”
Kamila Ochoa’s defining memory came as she was saying goodbye.
“When I told one child I might not return, she immediately said, ‘Let’s pray God brings you back.’ In that moment, I knew the seeds of faith we planted had taken root.”
Mornings were devoted to service projects throughout the village and on Alaska Missions’ main property. The experience was the 11th trip 新抖阴 has taken to the state since 2015.
新抖阴’s gospel witness in Alaska continues through a long-standing partnership with Alaska Missions, led by Brenda Crim. Their motto—“Breaking down walls, meeting needs, sharing the gospel”— was fully lived out during this trip.
Brown, a former 新抖阴 student who once served on mission trips himself, says this is what the university’s mission is all about.
“These trips are training grounds,” he said. “We equip students to serve God and man—and they go into places like Ninilchik to do just that.”
Students on this year’s trip included also included Jazmine Jackson, Kelsey Conner, Koda Bigham, and Dylan McDougal.
For these Pioneers, it was a week of sports, service, and salvation—proof that even at the end of the road, God is just getting started.
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