Overview
The Arnold Foundation was established in 2019 by Russ and Freda’s granddaughter Cheryl Licht and her husband Philip to remember and honor their legacy as missionaries to Alaska. Russ and Freda served as missionaries for over 50 years and have continued to serve the Lord through volunteerism and in the place of prayer in their retirement. Their love for Jesus, family, and the Alaskan people is evident and inspiring to all who know them.The Arnold Foundation is unique in that it seeks to strengthen marriages and families of missionaries in areas that often fall through the cracks. It is our belief that God cares deeply about marriage and family and that the strength of the marriage and family is crucial to effective ministry. In fact, taking care of your marriage and family is ministry in and of itself, and should not be sacrificed for the sake of ministry to others.
The Arnold Foundation offers several granting opportunities that are intended to sow into the marriage and/or family. We recognize missionaries often feel guilty spending money on themselves, and prioritize others needs above their own. These programs prioritize the needs of missionaries with a special focus on the marriage and family.
Arnold Family
Russ & Freda Arnold
Russ was a junior in high school when he heard he voice of God asking Him to leave his plans and home in upstate New York and preach the gospel in Alaska. He and Freda were married in 1951, after which he finished Bible school and also a missionary medical course in Canada. In 1956 they boated their young family down the Yukon River to Kokrines where they ministered among the Athabaskan people. The following year, they moved to the village of Ruby and they ministered for there for ten years.Their legacy in Ruby included building a beautiful log cabin church and developing Kokrine Hills Bible Camp on the banks of the Yukon River.After six years of pastoring in Nenana, Arnolds then moved to Palmer where they led Arctic Bible Institute-training indigenous people to lead and pastor in their own communities. After ten years at the school, he moved into administrative duties in Alaska and then in Calgary. The Arnolds often enjoy phone calls and visits from the people from the villages as well as former students.
They have no regrets serving the Lord for fifty-two years in Alaska, and their hearts are still with the people and fellow missionaries with which they served. In retirement they now consider prayer for family and missions their main focus of ministry.
Arnold Foundation Statement of Faith
• We believe in one God, the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. To Him be all honor, glory, and praise forever!
• We believe all human beings are created in the image of God and every life is precious and valuable. (Genesis 1:26-27, 31)
• We believe God created the male and female genders; these genders are defined biologically and are unchanging. (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 1:26-27)
• We believe God instituted monogamous marriage between male and female as the foundation of the family unit and this family unit is the foundation of a strong society; sexual love should only be expressed within the boundaries of marriage between one male and one female. (Genesis 2:24; Hebrew 13:4; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-8)
• We are committed to the core values of salvation based on Godʼs provision through Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior; sanctification, the process of growing Christlike through the transforming of oneʼs heart and mind by studying Godʼs Scripture; and service, the giving of oneʼs life and gifts to others because He gave His life for us.
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns. Isaiah 52:7 NLT. We are so thankful for the feet which have been faithfully walking the mountains and villages of Alaska or the world!
Arnolds 70th Anniversary
The Lord often speaks of His desire to revive the spirit of the lowly, and of the contrite …to heal him, lead him, and restore comfort to him (Isaiah 57:15-19). Psalm 23 is a picture of the Good Shepherd leading us into rest, “He restores my soul”, He encourages us with good food and anointing oil. And so, we also have that heart for you!
Let God use the Arnold Foundation to bring rest, inner healing, restoration, renewal to you individually, as a couple or as a family. How can we help you get strengthened once again for your battle? “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your heart in every good work and word.” II Thessalonians 3:16-17
Foundation Leadership
Chair – Cheryl LichtVice Chair – Sondra Markwardt
Secretary/Treasurer – Tanner Hotchkiss
Director – Marissa Van Thiel
The Arnold Foundation is led by a volunteer board of directors. As a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit, all donations are tax deductible. The Arnold Foundation is volunteer ran, therefore, 100% of funds are used for the purpose of strengthening marriages and families of missionaries.
Contact for questions: Philip Licht plicht@mtaonline.net