June 2015 Ministry Highlight: Chickaloon Retreat Center
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Ministry in the Eyes of:
Mike and Cory Alverts Chickaloon Retreat Center (CRC) Mike: I have been full time staff with CYAK for three years, drawing upon 20 years of full time ministry. I help shape our leadership development, discipleship experiences, and partnerships with the hope of transformed communities, people and families. My role with CRC is to include these elements in the CYAK programming and development of the Chickaloon Retreat Center. Cory: Mike and I have been married for 18 years and have three kids. My role with CYAK is prayer support and development, helping Mike, and helping with the development and detail management of the Chickaloon Retreat Center. What is the Chickaloon Retreat Center (CRC)? CRC is on an 80 acre piece of land in Chickaloon Alaska. It is a unique and peaceful setting intended to help pastors, youth, young adults, families, individuals, and groups encounter God. (Mike) |
What is the history of the CRC property?
The CRC property was dontated to the Evangelical Covenant Church of Alaska (ECCAK) by Don and Effie Graham in December 1994. The Grahams donated the property in memory of their parents with the intention that it be used as a place for pastors, church staff and lay volunteers to receive spiritual, physical, and emotional renewal. Today, the vision has expanded to aso be a place to serve youth and young adults from the road system. (Cory)
How did CYAK come to manage CRC?
When Mike and I moved to Alaska three years ago to work with CYAK we stayed with our family at CRC for a few nights. We had such a great time and wondered how often this wonderful place was used. Both Mike and I have camping ministry experience and I have a degree in outdoor education. When we found out that CRC wasn’t used often, we talked with Byron about the potential for ministry. Of course Byron was right on board, and we pursued a proposal to ECCAK about CYAK leasing the property. (Cory)
How does CYAK envision CRC’s use?
We envision anybody using CRC, from individuals to larger groups, from personal use to group retreats. We envision it being used for rest and renewal, spiritual growth and formation to outdoor education. The heart behind CRC has always been for people to grow in health and encounter God, so we see it typically being used for some type of renewal. (Mike)
Tell us a little about ‘Spring Camp’ in May:
Sometimes there is a bit of lag time between when university students finish classes and head home or start summer jobs. This year CYAK helped fill the gap by offering a “Spring Camp” for those students. In early May, 20 students stayed at CRC, relaxed, renewed, worked together to prepare meals, received some discipleship input and enjoyed being outside. They said they loved it! We look forward to doing it again next year. (Cory)
How is CRC’s development moving foward?
The development of CRC is definitely moving forward. We are very excited. CYAK has secured a lease of the property from ECCAK for 25 years. We have established a list of priorities. One of the top is developing sanitation facilities. We are currently doing the background and leg work for this undertaking. We are also working through establishing policies and governance procedures. (Cory)
How can partners be praying for CRC and your role(s)?
Pray for the CRC development, done with foresight and wisdom. Pray that we create the right balance of clear policy with inviting culture. Pray for my role which is program and design elements of discipleship and leadership, that we continue to field test and put these things into practice, and that CRC will serve well in these areas. (Mike)
The CRC property was dontated to the Evangelical Covenant Church of Alaska (ECCAK) by Don and Effie Graham in December 1994. The Grahams donated the property in memory of their parents with the intention that it be used as a place for pastors, church staff and lay volunteers to receive spiritual, physical, and emotional renewal. Today, the vision has expanded to aso be a place to serve youth and young adults from the road system. (Cory)
How did CYAK come to manage CRC?
When Mike and I moved to Alaska three years ago to work with CYAK we stayed with our family at CRC for a few nights. We had such a great time and wondered how often this wonderful place was used. Both Mike and I have camping ministry experience and I have a degree in outdoor education. When we found out that CRC wasn’t used often, we talked with Byron about the potential for ministry. Of course Byron was right on board, and we pursued a proposal to ECCAK about CYAK leasing the property. (Cory)
How does CYAK envision CRC’s use?
We envision anybody using CRC, from individuals to larger groups, from personal use to group retreats. We envision it being used for rest and renewal, spiritual growth and formation to outdoor education. The heart behind CRC has always been for people to grow in health and encounter God, so we see it typically being used for some type of renewal. (Mike)
Tell us a little about ‘Spring Camp’ in May:
Sometimes there is a bit of lag time between when university students finish classes and head home or start summer jobs. This year CYAK helped fill the gap by offering a “Spring Camp” for those students. In early May, 20 students stayed at CRC, relaxed, renewed, worked together to prepare meals, received some discipleship input and enjoyed being outside. They said they loved it! We look forward to doing it again next year. (Cory)
How is CRC’s development moving foward?
The development of CRC is definitely moving forward. We are very excited. CYAK has secured a lease of the property from ECCAK for 25 years. We have established a list of priorities. One of the top is developing sanitation facilities. We are currently doing the background and leg work for this undertaking. We are also working through establishing policies and governance procedures. (Cory)
How can partners be praying for CRC and your role(s)?
Pray for the CRC development, done with foresight and wisdom. Pray that we create the right balance of clear policy with inviting culture. Pray for my role which is program and design elements of discipleship and leadership, that we continue to field test and put these things into practice, and that CRC will serve well in these areas. (Mike)