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
Finance Manager | 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 more 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. Currently, I am serving as the Finance Manager for CYAK. I love growing in this area of gifting. I am passionate about clear, simple, and common sense processes as well as high integrity practices.  I also serve alongside my husband helping youth and young adults trust God for life.

"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
CCC ER Student & Young Adult Pastor | Palmer, AK
mike@cyak.org

Greetings! I serve as the student and young adult pastor at Community Covenant Church in Eagle River. Cory and I have spent our entire adult lives working to make a difference in the world and have completed 24 years of full-time ministry and over 8 years with CYAK. We keep learning tons as we go and are grateful to be a part of the CYAK team in the state. At my best, I'm playful, compassionate, courageous, kind, loving, adventurous, strategic, and I am always thinking about how to live into my identity and live out my faith. I have currently been learning how to switch my thinking from "just trying to survive" (covid, stress, etc.) to asking myself the question..." what does it mean to LIVE in this/these moments?" May you find a handful of hope and peace in your journey today.

"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

Jason Battiest
Statewide Young Adult Director | Palmer, AK
jason@cyak.org

Halito! Chim Achukma! (Hello, how are you) My name is Jason Battiest. I am a originally from Oklahoma but now live in Kenai with my wife (Sara) and my three children. (Levi, Myka and Seth) I am so excited to join the CYAK team as Statewide Director of Young Adult Ministry. I grew up in a family of servant leaders in the church and was continually encouraged to follow Jesus through serving Him. In the summer of 1999, I came to Alaska to serve in several villages where God opened my heart for Alaska Native youth. I love journeying with young people and doing my best to help them with life goals advise and spiritual mentorship. I love to play the guitar and lead worship when I have the opportunity. I love grabbing a coffee, tea, soda and getting to know people. I am excited to see what God will bring to the new role where I will be serving.

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

I am the executive director of CYAK. I was born in Nome, Alaska and grew up in various communities in Alaska. I was strongly impacted as a young man by mentors in the church. The Lord instilled in me a strong 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 and partners in ministry.  We are so grateful for your support that empowers us to serve the youth of Alaska! 

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

Grant Gardner
Facilities Manager | Eagle River, AK
grant@cyak.org

Originally from Minnesota, my heart for serving the Lord and doing His work was in large part shaped by my time serving at Covenant Pines Bible Camp, where I was both directly involved with mentoring/discipling students, as well as indirect ministry through maintenance and facilities. After a few years in the business world, the Lord has opened some exciting doors and allowed for me and my wife Katie to work together on Cyak staff. We are confident that we are serving where the Lord has intended us, and are eagerly awaiting what else He has in store.

John 15:1–8
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Katie Gardner
CCC Youth Director | Eagle River, AK
katie@cyak.org

Hello! I am grateful to be a small participant in the work of God's Kingdom in Alaska. Hailing from Minnesota, my love for youth discipleship has grown and flourished, opening doors to cherish and encourage youth in places I least expected. I am currently serving as the High school Youth Director at Community Covenant Church in Eagle River! My love for Alaska was kindled in the summer of 2018 at Covenant Bible Camp in Unalakleet. It was there that my heart was humbled by its people and its cultural beauty. I returned to Unalakleet in 2019, and strongly discerned the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, telling me my work in Alaska was not quite finished. With a posture of humility and a heart of trust, I have followed the Lord's leading to disciple High school students in Eagle River.
Grant and I couldn't be more thankful to serve Alaska together. My prayer and desire is to guide/equip students through the hope of Jesus and a Biblical foundation on which to base their lives, submitting to our gracious Father as he molds me into the Kingdom leader for which he has purposed me.
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"But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand." ~ Isaiah 64:8

John Hege
Life Coach | Palmer, AK
john@cyak.org

My name is John Hege and I am a Life Coach for CYAK. My wife Wendy and I have just completed 7 years in Palmer leading ministry with CYAK around the state. We know He called us here. Formerly we were in Montana working with young people as Youth For Christ director. We felt they did not have to have our help 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, helping in many capacities within CYAK and in cooperation with the Alaska Conference for 28 years. I have been a CYAK CO Director, Associate Director, Pastor in Shaktoolik, Youth and Senior Pastor, Alaska Conference coach, 19 years as the Aarigaa/ CCF director and staff in Fairbanks working with CYAK at UAF with many great staff and student volunteers on the Alaska Conference Board two terms, secretary of the Ministerium, am trained and helped with conflict
resolution with staff, and I am Ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church. We have 4 grown children, 2 still in Alaska and 2 in the lower 48.

"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

Jeff Keyser
Director of Ministry and Operations | Anchorage, AK
jeff@cyak.org

Hi I'm Jeff! I am originally from Colorado but now reside in Anchorage with my family Becca (my wife), Annika, and Addison (my daughters). My wife was raised in Alaska and I served in ministry here for 10 years, so moving back to Alaska feels like moving back home for us. As the Director of Ministry and Operations, I am excited to help lead CYAK and help support all our amazing leaders. I have a passion to see people changed by the Holy Spirit and to lead effective ministry. For the past 20 years, I have had the privilege of ministering to youth in some capacity and I am glad God has me back into full-time ministry with youth. Outside of work, I love to play disc golf, hike, camp, and play basketball. I also love music and a good cup of coffee.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jaime Nanninga
Communications & Marketing Manager | Anchorage, AK
jaime@cyak.org

I feel blessed and honored to serve on the CYAK team as the Communication and Marketing Manager. My husband and I moved back to Alaska after serving in the lower 48 for 12 years. Our middle son, who was born here, is now in High School! I was able stay at home with our 3 children but as they all entered their school years I longed for a place to use my gifts outside our home. Having an Art degree and a heart to serve, I could not be happier to be in this position. I love working together for a greater purpose! And while the snow is not quite my thing, I love the summer outdoors, culture and people here in AK.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters," ~ Colossians 3:23

Linnea Shaw
Nome Intern | Nome, AK
Linnea@cyak.org

I am from Eagle River, Alaska. My Dad has been the worship pastor at Community Covenant Church in Eagle River for as long as we have lived here. I went to college in Fairbanks where I was involved in Campus ministry and led a small group for college aged women. At UAF I studied criminal justice and got a minor in social work. 
Since graduating I have worked with at risk youth and most recently I worked in behavioral health at a youth residential treatment center for youth with substance youth disorders called Arch. At Arch I saw that while the kids' mental health needs were being addressed their spiritual needs were totally being neglected. I spent so much time working there just talking to the kids, eating dinner with them, driving them to the hospital, playing cards with them etc. and learning all about their lives and the hopelessness that they felt. It was really hard for me that I could never pray for them or share with them the truest source of hope: Jesus! After I left Arch I went to Bible Camp in Unalakleet for two weeks. At Bible Camp I got to see Jesus work in the lives of youth, many of whom had similar experiences to the kids I worked with at Arch. I was also so grateful for the freedom to be able to pray with my campers and share Jesus with them. 
 I am excited to have an opportunity to work with CYAK this year and learn more about youth ministry. I think I would have so much to learn from checkpoint since it has been around for many years and had such an impact on the community and on the lives of youth.

TJ Smith
Spiritual Director | Anchorage, AK
TJ@cyak.org

Hau Mitakuye Oyasın TJ Smith emáčiyapi, Ma Lakota.

​Hi my relatives, my name is TJ Smith, I am Lakota. I am proud to be a follower of the Creator.  I am a husband and dad to 2 amazing grown kids. I have been in Alaska since 2003. My wife grew up here as well as our kids. We enjoy our State by fishing in the summer, hiking and walking our dogs in the other season and sharing this Great Land with any who come up.

I serve CYAK as Spiritual Director and Pastoral care. I love to walk with the interns, students and staff in their journey of life and with the Creator. I strive to love others as I am loved and accepted by the Creator, as as they are and where they are. I was ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church in 2014 and have been around CYAK for 20 plus years.

Caleb Szczepanski
Administration & Operations Director| Anchorage, AK
caleb@cyak.org

I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I graduated from Cornerstone University with a major in Ministry and a double minor in Bible and in Sports Management. I was a Full-Time Youth Director for 4 years where I worked with both High School and Middle School students. Back in Michigan, when I was not busy with work, I would spend my free time playing sports and going to different trails around the area.

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." -2 Timothy 2:15 NIV

Alex Tsakos
Young Adult Outreach Coordinator | Anchorage, AK
alex@cyak.org

Hello! My name is Alex Tsakos and I am privileged to be serving CYAK as the Young Adult Outreach Coordinatorr and Director of Youth Ministry at First Covenant Church of Anchorage. A call for youth ministry has been over my life since my later years of high school. I’m originally from Detroit, MI and moved to Alaska in 2016 to embark on a calling to serve the kingdom of God. It started at the small, yet homey, campus of Alaska Christian College where I graduated with my AA in Christian Ministry. I then pursued my BA in Youth Ministry at North Park University and came back to ACC in the fall of 2020 to work in Student Life for 3 years. Now, a new chapter starts with CYAK, Anchorage and Greater Alaska. I feel my time with CYAK will be an opportunity to tap into my passions to come alongside youth, challenge and grow leaders, and to spread the Gospel through relationships.

Karl Thistle
Aarigaa House Manager | 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.
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"I have chosen the way of faithfulness." - Psalm 119:30

James Ventress
Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry | Nome, AK
james@cyak.org

We live and serve with Covenant Youth of Alaska in Nome. I have served with CYAK in Alaska since 2009 and have lived in Nome since 2011 when we moved from the Anchorage suburbs. I am the Associate Pastor for Youth Ministries at Nome Covenant Church and the director of Checkpoint Youth Center. Rachel is the coordinator of the homeschool distance education program for our school district. We have five children - Silas, Mercedes, Theo, Juniper and Elsie. We are committed to long-term growth in all aspects of life for youth in Nome in hopes of seeing our youth and families come to Christ's table. In late 2013, Samaritan's Purse provided the youth center building to use for the evangelization and discipleship of the youth of the community. Recently I started a free bike repair shop as a fun way to engage students and parents. We love reading and being in the Alaska outdoors.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." ~ Isaiah 61:1

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 (and met Brad!) in 2012. We got married in 2014, and were so happy for the opportunity to call Unalakleet our home starting in 2015. When we aren’t at camp, Brad is a middle school teacher and Kami gets to stay at home with our 3 little guys, Elwood, Jude, & Alden. We are so 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 from around the state. That sense of home - a place where God's healing love is so abundant - has brought us back year after year. We are excited to see what God has planned for 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
Statewide Youth 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: