The Bulletin Sunday Afternoon Reads: Lord of the Night
6 snips
Feb 22, 2026 A missionary’s nine months at the South Pole and life inside the remote Amundsen-Scott Station. Solitude and darkness as a spiritual discipline that sharpened prayer. Night walks under the Milky Way, aurora sightings, and moon pillars that stirred awe. Small, candid worship gatherings and surprising theological conversations in extreme isolation.
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Missionary Wintering At The South Pole
- Brett Baddorf wintered at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station from January to November 2017 as a logistics/materials worker and missionary.
- He arrived after many applications and a gallbladder removal and lived among fewer than 50 wintering personnel supporting scientific research.
Solitude Amplifies Faith Not Diminishes It
- Isolation and six months of darkness did not weaken Christian faith on station but often deepened it through chosen solitude.
- Baddorf links Antarctic withdrawal to Christ's practice of retreat and to historic monastic traditions like Antony of Egypt.
Use Daily Walks As A Spiritual Discipline
- Take intentional outdoor walks as spiritual discipline to process isolation and prepare for work.
- Baddorf chose the slightly longer outdoor route to his substation office to pray, reflect, and fortify his spirit before shifts.