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 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 Operations Director for CYAK. I love growing in this area of gifting. I am passionate about clear, simple, and common sense processes as well as fair and equitable treatment for all our staff and students. 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 Coordinator | Palmer, AK
mike@cyak.org

Greetings! I serve as the Interim statewide Aarigaa director and 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 in to 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

Sarah Bender
Administrative Assistant | Anchorage, AK
sarah@cyak.org

Hi, I’m Sarah! I’m originally from western Washington, but traded the rain in for the snow in 2019. I have the privilege of being the Administrative Assistant at CYAK. Ever since I was a teenager myself, I have wanted to see the light of Jesus spread across the earth. My passion is to see young people on fire for Jesus, thriving in the Kingdom, and using their spiritual gifts to build up the local church. I love that I get to walk alongside of and resource youth, young adults, and ministry leaders in Alaska as we are all learning what it means to be transformed by Jesus. I also serve as the youth director at First Covenant Church in Anchorage. In my off time you can can catch me attempting to hike up mountains, drinking copious amounts of coffee, and gazing at sunsets... well when the sun does decide to go down. 

​"For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." ~ Psalm 100:5

Chad Benkert
Missions Development Coordinator 
chad@cyak.org

Dana and I have been married for 30 years with two children, Kylie (forever 20) and Jeremy (22). We have been in ministry since the late 90’s with a heart and emphasis on youth. Over the years our ministry expanded to youth and families as we realized that youth needed to have strong Christian families to grow in strong in their faith. Over time I shifted to a lead Pastor role with Dana working alongside me as a Children’s Pastor never walking away from ministry to youth.
After the loss of our daughter Kylie, and her fiancé Jaylen, in a tragic car accident in 2016, we shifted our ministry and started working with churches in “Congregational Vitality”, which is the specialization of my MACM from North Park Theological Seminary. We started traveling the US preaching, teaching and doing workshops for Vitality and generational evangelism.
In 2019, God directed us to accept a calling to Nome, Alaska as the interim pastor. While in Nome, we fell in love with Alaska, and the ministry of CYAK. When the interim calling was over, it did not take much convincing for us come work here at Covenant Youth of Alaska.
You can find us travelling the “lower 48”, bringing the good news of the work done through CYAK and giving churches, business and families the opportunity to get involved. In our down time you will find us staying in our RV, finding great trails to hike, kayaking, enjoying great meals, and experiencing nature.

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 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

Meritha Misrak Capelle
Aarigaa Anchorage Leader | 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). 

When I think about our community of young adults I just think, “Wow, I GET to walk alongside these people.” We are a community of imperfection serving a perfect Creator and learning how to bask in the beauty of that. The work I do is an honor and a privilege. Thank you for all of your prayers and support of any kind. Creator’s shalom be with you always.

Some of my prior experience includes:

Serving with Youth With a Mission (YWAM) for 3 years, working in Human Resources for NANA Development Corporation and, Domestic  Violence/Sexual Assault/Human Trafficking Project Coordinator at the Alaska Native Justice Center.

"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)

Aune Carlson
HR Manager | Mesa, AZ
aune@cyak.org

Once upon a time, I was challenged by a dear friend that I wouldn’t be able to “hack it” at Covenant Bible Camp in Unalakleet, AK. Upon graduation from North Park University I made my way to serve at camp and later accepted an invitation to serve CYAK. Now, 15 years later, I have also had the great opportunities to serve Amundsen Educational Center (aecak.org) and complete a Master of Divinity and Nonprofit Administration at North Park Theological Seminary and School of Business and Nonprofit Administration. I have served the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) in a variety of roles over the past 14 years, the Alaska Conference of the ECC, my local church (Mountain View Hope Covenant Church) and, once again, I find myself serving CYAK!

“Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” ~ Isaiah 25:1‬

Sam Cross
CCC ER Youth Leader | Eagle River, AK
sam@cyak.org

For as long as I can remember God has been at work in my life. Ever since I was a boy He blessed me with strong role models, most of whom had a deep connection to Christ along with the desire to share His love with others. A great number of my earlier mentors were, and still are, with CYAK. Some of them even led my father when he was a boy. Growing up, I really looked up to the leaders and mentors at CYAK and it is a genuine honor to serve among them today. Little kid Sam would be pretty stoked to know that he works on CYAK staff in the not-so-distant future.

With God's direction, I spent much of the following years studying Christian Ministry at Alaska Christian College in Soldotna, AK. I even had the privilege of doing a few internships at Portage Lake Covenant Bible Camp in Onekama, MI. I learned so much from these experiences and made many lifelong friends. Above all, I developed a love for God; a sense of how truly wonderful He is, and a strong desire to share His love with others. By God's grace, I have come a long way. Yet, I have much to learn.

In the current season of my life, I have been blessed with the Jr. High Youth Ministry position at Community Covenant Church in Eagle River. I'm living at the Aarigaa House in Anchorage and find myself in good company. It is a treasure to dwell among like-minded young adults who seek to live out the will of God. Truly, God is good!

“Sustain me, and I will be rescued; then I will meditate continually on your decrees.” ~ Psalm 119:117‬

Eric Gandee
Shaktoolik Youth Leader | Shaktoolik, AK
eric@cyak.org

Hi, my name is Eric and I am the Youth Pastor in Shaktoolik AK. My wife Mary, Lead Pastor in Shaktoolik, have been married for 15 years and have 2 daughters Payton (15) and Marley (13). We have been serving in Shaktoolik for almost 2 years, with a short stent back in Washington for a couple of months. I am new to being a Youth Pastor as I spent 20 years in the Fire Service and only started with youth about 4 years ago at Columbia Grove Covenant Church in East Wenatchee, Wash. God has grown my excitement for youth ministries over the years and given me hope in my new adventure.

"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

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

Bradley Hamilton
Development and Research Intern | Anchorage, AK
bradley@cyak.org

I grew up in Soldotna, Alaska around the Alaska Christian College Community and made a personal choice to follow Christ at age 15. After high school, I attended Noth Park University in Chicago to study Physics but realized a few years in that my passions lied in music! I moved back to Alaska where I continued my studies while living at the Aarigaa House as a resident and then as a Resident Advisor. I recently took on this internship with CYAK to help provide a resource for the ministry and to help raise support for the Alaska Leadership Fund. I'm excited to see what kind of work God has in store for me!

 "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." ~ Proverbs 2:6

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

My name is John Hege and I am the Associate Director of CYAK. My wife Wendy and I have just completed 5 years in Palmer leading ministry with CYAK around the state after 19 years as the Aarigaa/ CCF staff 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. 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 26 years. 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

Tyler Johnson
Aarigaa MatSu Co-leader, Chickaloon Retreat Center Facilities Director | 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
Care Team Coordinator | Wasilla, AK
angela@cyak.org

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

We are Marc and Angela Lantz, and we are thrilled to be serving youth and young adults across this beautiful state. Marc was born and raised in Pennsylvania, while Angela grew up in Alberta, Canada. After meeting at a youth ministry internship, we have spent 12 years serving in youth ministry together. Nine of those were in Angela’s home church in Breton, Alberta. In 2017, we were asked to direct the Acts29 school of discipleship that was hosted by the Covenant churches of Alaska, as well as to stay and serve with CYAK. We said ‘yes’ to both, and moved to Palmer in April 2019.

I (Marc) serve on the Leadership Team as program director, overseeing regional and statewide youth/young adult events. I also direct Covenant Bible Camp in Unalakleet for 5 weeks in May/June. I work closely with volunteers, interns, and veteran staff as they team up to serve youth/young adults together. Angela serves on the Team Care Initiative, as a care coordinator. She helps provide mentorship and care to our team members, promoting healthy leadership. We have three children: Emma, Brooks, and Ellie. They enjoy being “CYAK Kids” because they are well-loved wherever we go.

We really appreciate the work CYAK does across the state and the partners they share across the rest of the continent. Though we are based in Palmer, our ministry is statewide and includes lots of travel to events and various other forms of communication. Our heart is to encourage and assist the discipleship and growth of young Alaskans. We want to help more Alaskans follow Jesus both at home as well as in a world that needs the hope of Christ.

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." ~ Hebrews 11:1

Katie Lewis
CCC ER Youth Leader | Eagle River, AK
katie@cyak.org

Hello! I am delighted to be a small participant in the work of God's Kingdom in Alaska. Hailing from Minnetonka, 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, its cultural beauty, and the glory magnified in its nature. I returned to Unalakleet in 2019, and strongly discerned the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, whispering to me that my work in Alaska was not quite finished. With a posture of humility and a heart of trust, I have faithfully followed the Lord's leading to disciple High school students in Eagle River.
​
This past May, I graduated from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul, with a degree in Youth Ministry and Biblical Studies. My heart for youth ministry was established through multiple summers serving Covenant Pines Bible Camp in McGregor, MN, and Covenant Bible Camp in Unalakleet, AK, and a few church internships sprinkled in here and there. 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. 
​
"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

Marc Murchison
Missions Development Assistant
marcm@cyak.org

Marc is a Californian by birth and an international by nature. At an early age, Marc was introduced to international culture and foods by his parents who had lived in France for two years before he was born and traveled extensively in Europe and North Africa. Raised as a Catholic until age16, he came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ at age 19 outside the Catholic Church.

Marc graduated from Southern California College (now Vanguard University) in 1979 with a B.A. in Biblical Studies and from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1986 with an M. Div. Marc has been an ordained pastor for 39 years and has been in the Evangelical Covenant ministry since 1989. He has served churches in California, Colorado, Idaho, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa and most recently spent 4 years as the pastor at Mountain Village Covenant Church in Mountain Village, Alaska.

He has been married to Elise (also a Californian) for 46 years. Marc and Elise have three grown daughters and 4 grandchildren. Marc loves to play the guitar with others, and his other hobbies include fishing, fly fishing and hunting.

Tom Mute
Aarigaa MatSu Leader | 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

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

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.
​
"I have chosen the way of faithfulness." - Psalm 119:30

Simone Thistle
Finance 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
Nome Youth Leader | 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
Scammon Bay Youth Leader | 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: