MEET OUR STAFF

CYAK would not be able to function without all those who volunteer, work with, and support CYAK's ministries in various. This includes our staff. Our staff are those who serve with either full-time or part-time. We are so thankful for how they pour time and energy into reaching youth and young adults in Alaska. 

Cory Alverts
Operations Director | Palmer, AK
cory@cyak.org

Ever since I can remember, I have wanted to make a difference in the world. In college, I was challenged to join God in transforming people. The reasoning was, if the world was full of healthy people, the world would be a healthy place. That was over 20 years ago. Ever since then, I have been involved in some form of ministry and discipleship. I love doing this alongside my husband, Mike.

"And the Lord will continually guide you,  and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail." ~ Isaiah 58:11

Mike Alverts
Statewide Aarigaa Director | Palmer, AK
mike@cyak.org

I serve as the Statewide Aarigaa Director. My wife Cory and I are a package deal and we are excited to serve what God is doing in the state of Alaska. We have spent the past 16 years learning, leading, and serving in a global mission organization and humbly come as learners to a new context and new ministry. God has called us to Alaska to pursue a generation that is missing in many churches across the state: young adults. Cory is a vibrant, energetic communicator and loves to pass along a voracious appetite for learning. I love to color outside the lines and challenge the status quo while caring deeply about people. We love being outside in God's creation, enjoying his beauty and abundance while adventuring with our family. We have been married for over 15 years and have three wonderful kiddos: Josiah, Linnaea, and Lydia. 

"Each man will be like a shelter from the wind, a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert." ~ Isaiah 32:2

Byron Bruckner
​Executive Director | Palmer, AK
byron@cyak.org

I am the executive director of CYAK. My favorite drink is a 12oz Americano - no room. I was born in Nome, Alaska and grew up in various communities in Alaska. I was strongly impacted as a young by mentors in the church. The Lord instilled in me a strong fire-desire to pass along the mentorship and encouragement I received as a youth. It is a privilege to work with Covenant Youth of Alaska. God has blessed CYAK with such a wonderful staff and wider team network of volunteers who's hearts break for the spiritual needs of youth and young adults in Alaska. It is an awesome community of believers to be a part of. Jesus says he is the way, the truth, and the life. And he came to bring us life.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” - Matthew‬ ‭5:14‬

Meritha Misrak Capelle
Director of Aarigaa Anchorage | Anchorage, AK
meritha@cyak.org

Paglagipsi! (Welcome) Uvvanga atiga Misrak (My Inupiaq name is Misrak), but you can call me Meritha. I am from Kiana, AK AKA Katyaaq (A place where three rivers meet). 

I have the privilege to serve as the Director of Aarigaa Anchorage. I grew up in a BIG family so naturally, I want to be surrounded by people. I also have a deep desire to share what I've learned in my 33 years on earth. The song, "How Deep the Father's Love For Us" comes to mind as it is a truth I hope to impart to others, especially our young adults. I am excited to see where and how God will lead our young adults in this season. Pray for our students, that they would make both mind and heart connections to what it means to invite the Lord to walk with them every day and every second of their lives.

Prior to working with CYAK I served at Youth With a Mission (YWAM) for a few years. Most recently, I've worked with the Alaska Native Justice Center as their domestic violence/sexual assault/human trafficking project coordinator.

"Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." ~ Joshua 1:9 (KJV)

Tatiana Chanar
​Administrative Assistant | Anchorage, AK
tatiana@cyak.org

I’m the administrative assistant, and I’m loving it! I grew up interested in how systems work, how programs are run, and how people are unique! It is a joy to work alongside such a diverse group of people such as the CYAK team. I graduated from Alaska Christian College with an A.A. in Christian Ministry. Soon, I'd like to pursue a bachelors in Ministry Management. With a God as good as ours, I believe that there is always something to be excited about!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13

Rebecca Gramm
Financial Assistant | Anchorage, AK
finance@cyak.org

John Hege
Associate Director | Palmer, AK
john@cyak.org

My name is John Hege and I am the Associate Director of CYAK. I just completed 16 years as the Aarigaa CCF director in Fairbanks working with CYAK at UAF with many great staff and student volunteers. Before that we were in Shaktoolik where I was youth Pastor and later Pastor as well. We know He called us here, as we were in Montana working with young people as Youth For Christ director. We felt they did not need us any more as the Lord built a large and capable team there. So when Byron asked us to consider coming, we felt the Lord wanted us to come where there was relatively little ministry opportunity for young people to hear the Gospel in areas the Covenant was working. We have been here since then. He is at work all around us. Wendy and I have seen our family grow here in Alaska. We have 2 children at home for a short time more.

"The Lord said, 'Go and make disciples of all the nations, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you. I am with you to the end of the age." ~ Matthew 28:18-20

Tyler Johnson
Aarigaa MatSu Co-leader, Chickaloon Retreat Center Facilities Director, Official Mullet Enthusiast of CYAK | Wasilla, AK
tyler@cyak.org

Ever since I first landed in Alaska back in 2006, I overwhelmingly sensed God working in the lives of the village youth and communities. After marrying my wife Ruth and moving to the road system we always found ourselves gravitating to Native youth work and have intentionally worked to find ways to continually serve God through the ministry of CYAK. After a ten year career of Fire/EMS I can wholeheartedly say that the most exciting times in my life are the memories I have with CYAK and the different ministries they help facilitate. If you are looking to get involved don’t be intimidated by the sheer vastness of Alaska. Or maybe you question the effectiveness of your gifts. Fear not, God is good and I am a testimony to how God continually makes himself known; more often in my weaknesses than in my strengths. Come listen to the awesome things happening around our state and communities!

Angela Lantz
Team Care Coordinator | Wasilla, AK
angela@cyak.org

Marc Lantz
Program Director | Wasilla, AK
marc@cyak.org

Tom Mute
Director of Aarigaa MatSu; Ministry Support | Palmer, AK
tom@cyak.org

I currently serve at Mat-Su Covenant Church in the Palmer/Wasilla region. As a young man I felt the LORD's leading to serve my fellow Yup'iks in Alaska. In 1997 I got my start as a volunteer with the youth group in Bethel, my hometown, the fall after graduating from Covenant Bible College in Canada. While attending the University of Alaska Fairbanks, with John Hege and Byron Bruckner as my mentors, I discovered my spiritual gifts as a student leader through their campus ministry. I haven't looked back since. My two passions, the guitar and the bible, have allowed me to experience the fulfillment of leading others in adult ministry, preaching from the pulpit or leading a congregation in worship I have found my place in the body of Christ - until my time on earth is done or Jesus returns!

"Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed." ~ Romans 13:11

Hannah Palmer
Communications Director | Anchorage, AK
hannah@cyak.org

I have the joy of serving in the role of Communications Director. Growing up in cross-cultural ministry, I have always been drawn to exploring, learning about, and sharing culture--believing that it is in these interactions we experience God greater. My first time to Alaska was summer 2017 where I spent a week at Bible Camp learning about Alaska Native culture and life in Western Alaska. The following summer I interned with CYAK in Unalakleet and Mountain Village, where my love for Alaska grew and a passion for the hope of the Gospel was kindled. I am grateful to use my skills to help further CYAK's mission. I believe passionately in this team and I am grateful to be a part of it!

"We are afflicted In every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies." ~ 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

David Rurik
Development Director | Anchorage, AK
david@cyak.org

I serve CYAK in the role of Development Director. Growing up I felt called to Alaska and the opportunity presented itself during college when I was give the chance to travel with a group from Harbor Covenant Church to Covenant Bible Camp in Unalakleet. Since serving that summer I committed to work in Alaska. I graduated from Whitworth University with a Theology degree and moved to Anchorage to serve on staff with CYAK as the Resident Director for the Aarigaa Discipleship House. Over the course of the first three years serving in Alaska, my role has shifted. I now serve as the Development Director for CYAK working alongside our many partners as they walk their faith journey. I enjoy serving CYAK alongside my wife Lauren with the Covenant church in Alaska.

"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." ~ Colossians 2:6-7

Karl Thistle
Aarigaa House Director | Anchorage, AK
karl@cyak.org

I have the privilege of serving CYAK as the Resident Director of the Aarigaa House. As the House RD, my main focus is growing the community within the house and intentionally discipling residents. I grew up in Willow, AK as the younger sibling in a family of four. Prior to this role, my wife and I worked in the dorms at a boarding school in Galena, AK. During those six years we were able to experience and appreciate a variety of cultures from all across the state. Little did we know, God was specifically teaching and preparing us to serve within this cross-cultural ministry. We have been encouraged by the growth we have seen in our residents and in the program as a whole, and eagerly look forward to seeing Christs continued work at the Aarigaa Discipleship House.
​
"I have chosen the way of faithfulness." - Psalm 119:30

Simone Thistle
Financial Assistant | Anchorage, AK
simone@cyak.org

Karl and I, and our daughter Moriah, live in one of the units at the Aarigaa House; he runs things as the main Resident Director, and I'm pretty involved where I can be with the events, organization, and discipleship that happens here. I also work part-time for the CYAK office as the Financial Assistant, processing all of the ministry's donations. I've really enjoyed bringing my residence life and administrative skills to our ministry; I am excited to see how the Lord will continue to use our little family in helping our community grow in Christ here in Anchorage.

"For God gave us a spirit, not of fear but of power and love and self-control" - 2 Timothy 1:7

James Ventress
Associate Pastor of Youth Ministries at Nome Covenant Church | Nome, AK
james@cyak.org

Brad & Kami Webster
Covenant Bible Camp Stewards | Unalakleet, AK
brad@cyak.org; kami@cyak.org

We serve as the Camp Stewards for Covenant Bible Camp in Unalakleet, AK. Brad first started coming up to work on summer projects at camp in 2001. Kami first came to camp in 2012 (little did she know what God had planned when she met Brad!). We got married in 2014, and were so happy for the opportunity to call Unalakleet our home starting in 2015. Brad is a middle school teacher and Kami gets to stay at home with our son, Elwood. We are blessed to serve at Bible Camp in this position that lets us support so many fantastic volunteers each summer, while we care for the facilities and manage on-site hospitality. Camp is a place of home and peace for so many students around the state. That sense of home - a place where God' healing love is so abundant - has brought us back year after year. We are excited to see what God has planned for us in the seasons to come!

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Drew Williams
YK Delta - Regional Director | Scammon Bay, AK
drew@cyak.org

I am the youth worker in the village of Scammon Bay and the Regional Programs Facilitator for the Yukon-Kuskokwim River Delta. My wife is an English teacher here in the village, and we work here with the local Scammon Bay Covenant Church to provide local youth with a biblical foundation on which to base their lives. I also work with the many volunteer youth workers throughout the YK Delta resourcing them, offering them support, and coordinating seasonal weekend retreats for the region. My wife and I are very glad that God has called us to Alaska to do His good work here. We are extremely blessed by our village home and by the people of CYAK.

"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Then the people answered, 'Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods! It was the Lord our God himself who brought us and our parents out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed  those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled." ~ Joshua 24:15-17

Instagram: @d.williams.1990

Learn about the other members of our team: