Serve
Many village churches in Rural Alaska need youth leaders.
There is a tremendous need for those who have a heart for youth and to share the hope of Christ with hurting students by serving as a youth leader in a village. To see a map of the villages where we work, and where the might be a need for a youth leader, click here. Some churches can provide housing and small stipends. Each situation is unique depending on various circumstances. If you are interested in learning more about what it would be like to be a youth leader in a village setting, please contact us at: info@cyak.org. We would love to talk with you!
Short Term Missions Opportunities on the Road System. (Anchorage, Wasilla, Fairbanks)
There is a need for people with strong organizational skills and administrative gifts to serve as project coordinators, or in other areas in our road system office. There are also opportunities to serve in with our various young adult/college ministries on the road system in Anchorage, Palmer, and Fairbanks. If you are interesting in learning more about these positions, and the current needs on the road system, please contact us at: info@cyak.org.
There is a need for people with strong organizational skills and administrative gifts to serve as project coordinators, or in other areas in our road system office. There are also opportunities to serve in with our various young adult/college ministries on the road system in Anchorage, Palmer, and Fairbanks. If you are interesting in learning more about these positions, and the current needs on the road system, please contact us at: info@cyak.org.
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest,
therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” -Luke 10:2
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Testimonies
Matthew Carlson, Youth Worker in Mekoryuk
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I never thought I’d end up here, as a youth pastor in rural Western Alaska, specifically in Mekoryuk on Nunivak Island. I have never had any training in preaching or teaching the Word or working with youth populations and limited cross-cultural and missions experience. However, I prayed that God would use me and that I would know His call. I heard His call and thankfully followed His leading.
That call was ministry with CYAK as a youth pastor in Mekoryuk, AK. I arrived in September, it was windy, rainy, and cold and I did not know a soul on the island. My first few days were difficult, but it was not long before I began my ministry with the help of Pastor Nathan and the church board. When I allowed God to work through me in Mekoryuk, the change was evident. Soon, the youth group was growing, we were adding activities, and even had a mission trip to Guatemala planned. Something that has made this time so enjoyable has been the community. The longer I’ve been here working the more the community has gotten excited and joined in the ministry. Devoting their time, money, food, and most importantly their prayer and support. Ministry is easy with support like this. |
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I have struggled, I have flourished, I have been blessed, I have been tested, and I have grown. I have experienced things I never even imagined possible (e.g. reindeer wrestling). The Spirit has been active in helping me adjust to a new culture and way of life and I have come to love living and working out here. God is at work in Rural Alaska and it has been tremendous to be a part of that work.
Below is a journal entry from shortly before I was officially accepted as Youth Pastor. Details pretty well how I feel God is working here.
“This is my last entry in Mekoryuk as a candidate for the youth worker position here. So now I should reflect on the past month and see what God tells me I’m supposed to be doing. …there were a couple of instances early on that made me reconsider, but I think satan may have been taking advantage of the situation to fill my head with doubt and fear. It is pretty great though, the way that God can come into a situation, fill you with confidence and show you that He is indeed the creator of the world, and even better, that He loves and cares for me and His plan for me was written in Love and my name is graven on His hands! How can I be afraid or anxious?! He literally brought me to Alaska and even if the plan is a somewhat difficult or painful one to follow, I know that I am doing His will and that if I can show a scrap of faithfulness that He will be there with me and see me through it. He won’t present any situation that I cannot handle and He will not leave my side. Forever I can have the confidence that I can count on Him and His leading and protection. Even if my finite mind can’t wrap my head around it, I have the assurance that it is a plan that will not harm me, but I will prosper. What a relief to not have to rely on myself, because I fail and I fail often.”
Below is a journal entry from shortly before I was officially accepted as Youth Pastor. Details pretty well how I feel God is working here.
“This is my last entry in Mekoryuk as a candidate for the youth worker position here. So now I should reflect on the past month and see what God tells me I’m supposed to be doing. …there were a couple of instances early on that made me reconsider, but I think satan may have been taking advantage of the situation to fill my head with doubt and fear. It is pretty great though, the way that God can come into a situation, fill you with confidence and show you that He is indeed the creator of the world, and even better, that He loves and cares for me and His plan for me was written in Love and my name is graven on His hands! How can I be afraid or anxious?! He literally brought me to Alaska and even if the plan is a somewhat difficult or painful one to follow, I know that I am doing His will and that if I can show a scrap of faithfulness that He will be there with me and see me through it. He won’t present any situation that I cannot handle and He will not leave my side. Forever I can have the confidence that I can count on Him and His leading and protection. Even if my finite mind can’t wrap my head around it, I have the assurance that it is a plan that will not harm me, but I will prosper. What a relief to not have to rely on myself, because I fail and I fail often.”
