Alabama Baptists have faithfully partnered with Alaska Baptists through official ministry channels since 2021, and they’ve prayed for, supported, encouraged and volunteered in a variety of ways these past five years.
Now, Alabama Baptists have the difficult but sacred opportunity to minister to Alaska Baptist pastor Cody Schwegel and his family as they walk through the tragic loss of their 18-year-old son Greyer — the middle son of Cody and his wife, Katie.
Various media outlets in Alaska reported that Alaska State Troopers confirmed Greyer Schwegel and his friend, 17-year-old Paul Lingley IV, died July 14 following a head-on dirt bike collision on Prince of Wales Island.
‘Saddened to hear’
Scotty Goldman, who works closely with all who are involved in the Alabama-Alaska partnership through his role at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, expressed deep sympathy for the two families.
“We were saddened to hear of the tragic deaths of Greyer and Paul,” Goldman said. “We’ve worked with Cody and his family since 2021 when he and others launched Liberty Church on July 4 of that year in Craig, Alaska.”
Jamie Baldwin, who also represents Alabama Baptists among the work being done in Alaska, became somewhat of an embedded missionary with Liberty Church when it launched in 2021, working daily alongside the Schwegel family for the first six months. He has been back and forth in ministry there since then.
‘Exceptional young man’
“Greyer was one exceptional young man, and he will be greatly missed,” Baldwin said. “He cared deeply for his friends and was always trying to get his unchurched friends in church.” He achieved that goal, at least for the moment, as young people from across the island came to Liberty Church to gather with Greyer’s family after his death, Baldwin noted.
Craig is a fishing and logging town with about 1,000 residents on Prince of Wales Island. The island, about 160 miles long and 30 miles wide, is accessible only by small aircraft or ferry.
Goldman said he has been encouraged to hear of the outpouring of love and support coming from people across the island and urges Alabama Baptists to be praying for both families.
“We pray God can use this devastating accident to further the work being done and help believers shine His light even brighter on the island,” Goldman said.
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