Susan Shisler

Susan joined Arctic Barnabas in the spring of 2022 and works part-time with the admin team. She already works in full-time ministry at her church in Soldotna but loves the mission of ABM to strengthen and encourage pastors and missionaries serving in remote Alaska, Northern Canada, and Far East Russia. Giving a few extra hours a week, working behind the scenes, has allowed her to get her feet wet with missions again.

Growing up in a Christian home, her family always had a huge heart for missions. Her parents enjoyed offering hospitality to missionaries, and her dad traveled several times doing medical missions. Susan grew up hearing missionary stories and remembered one story from a missionary in Haiti that the Lord used to bring her to salvation. In the early ’80s, Susan’s family moved to Alaska to help with a church plant.

After graduating high school, Susan sensed the Lord directing her into missions and ministry work. She had the opportunity to travel with the Continental Singers to Africa and various European countries, then to Russia shortly after the fall of communism with her church denomination. After completing her degree in Christian Education from Kingswood University and working in the education area for several years, she felt the Lord building a desire in her to pursue missions full-time. This began her involvement with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). She spent many years based in Richmond, VA, focusing on Jewish Ministries with outreach to Israel, Russia, Brazil, Ukraine, and Spain.

In 2005, Susan felt the need to return home to help care for her mom, whose health was declining, which was a true honor. After her mom’s passing, the doors opened to work full-time in church ministry. She is excited to be able to serve the Lord in the various opportunities He has provided.