One of the ways that CYAK works to fulfill its mission to reach, disciple, and develop Native youth and young adults in Alaska, is by partnering with other ministries around the state to make that possible.  We know that while CYAK plays a vital role in ministry to youth and young adults to Alaska, so do other ministries, and we would not be able to work toward our mission without each other. It is for this reason that one of CYAK's core values is synergistic partnerships. We are grateful for our many ministry partners, and look forward to continued relationship with each one of them into the future. Some of our key partners in ministry are:

Alaska Christian College
Mission: ACC's mission is accomplished through offering a Christ-centered and general studies education, providing a culturally relevant community that cares for the individual needs of each student, and modeling Godly character in everyday living. Each student is encouraged toward a personal plan that promotes holistic lifestyles, education toward life goals, and service to God.
Relation to CYAK: Through CYAK youth workers coming together at a CYAK visioning retreat, the decision for developing a discipleship school like Covenant Bible College in Alaska was solidified. It was a CYAK fundraising initiative that developed the resources for a pilot-test year for the school, and CYAK recruiting that identified Keith Hamilton as a potential leader for the school. It was also a number of youth workers including Curtis Ivanoff, Mark Hill, and Jeff Siemers who transitioned into Soldotna from doing youth work in Western Alaska to launch ACC. Therefore, CYAK played an intricate role in the foundation of ACC, and continues to partner with the school in multiple ways. Students who currently attend ACC attend CYAK’s young adult ministry retreats, and CYAK points students who are looking for an education in a Christian community to ACC. It is a partnership that will be sure to continue far into the future. 

Amundsen Educational Center
Mission: AEC operates three educational departments: Building Hope Construction, New Frontier Vocational Technical Center, and Career Skills Institute. In addition to these three educational departments, AEC also provides comprehensive Student Services to make it possible for Native Alaskans from villages off the road system to attend and successfully complete the vocational programs.
Relation to CYAK: AEC, which was originally established by Covenant Missionaries, asked CYAK to help launch the school. CYAK ran the first test program through a boat building project in Fairbanks, and then encouraged team members Mike Swanson and Nathan Nagaruk to move to Soldotna to help the first director, Dell Corrick get the school off the ground. Similar to ACC, students from AEC attend CYAK’s young adult ministry retreats in the Fall and Spring. Additionally, when students come along who have significant interest in some of the programs offered by AEC, CYAK is sure to provide the information they need to explore the possibility. 

Mission Aviation Repair Center
Mission: To expand the reach of the gospel in Alaska by: flying people & supplies where there are no roads, supporting other missionaries & their aircraft, and training missionary-minded pilots & mechanics.
Relation to CYAK: MARC works closely with CYAK to provide flights to and from various CYAK events including Regional Youth Events in the YK Delta and Norton Sound Regions throughout the year, as well as Covenant Bible Camp in Unalakleet in the summer. Without MARC, many trips would not be possible, and many students would not have the opportunity to hear the gospel. We are thankful for the partnership we have with MARC, and we look forward to it continuing into the future. 

Covenant Churches throughout the state
Relation to CYAK: There are 19 covenant churches in Alaska, 5 on the road system, and 14 in the bush. These churches provide a foundation for the students involved with one of CYAK’s ministries throughout the year. Students that attend our regional youth events from the Norton Sound and YK Delta Regions have the opportunity to grow in their faith and to share in a time of fellowship on these retreats. However, it is when they go home that they depend on the support of their local church to continue to minister to them throughout the year. We work with churches to host retreats, and to learn of the needs of the youth within each community.