Victor Johnson, joined by his wife Nalini Johnson, arrived in Inuvik last week to serve as the newest minister at the Anglican Church of the Ascension.
Before arriving in Inuvik, Johnson served as minister in Salluit, Que., for two years, and for seven years in Mumbai, India.
Samantha McKay/NNSL photo
"Canada called me!" said Johnson. "We wanted to take up a cross-cultural assignment and we thought this would be an exciting new journey. It's been a learning experience, and a very good one. The cold has always been exciting since we come from a very warm place."
Johnson said he has a son and daughter who are completing post-secondary studies in Toronto, Ont.
He said his wife will be assisting him in his duties at the church, and has also applied to teach at East Three School.
Johnson said he is excited to be serving in a community as welcoming as Inuvik has been to him in his first week here.
"The Inuvik community is full of wonderful people," he said. "This community is very loving and understanding. Although we come from a totally different background, we have always felt at home."
Johnson said he hopes to share a message of love with the community and the Anglican church.
"Love is the centre of the message we want to communicate to the community," he said. "We want to share messages of love, peace and harmony, and share the blessings of God with the whole community, with love at the centre of that."
Johnson said he hopes to contribute to the community in any way that he is needed through volunteer work.
"I would be happy to lend a hand and contribute anywhere that I can," he said. "Whatever comes our way, my wife and I would would be happy to support a good cause."
Johnson said he plans to stay in Inuvik as long as the diocese needs him.
"The one thing I've always wanted to experience, because I come from a very hot place, is to experience the chill of the North, so I will continue to enjoy that as long as I am here!"