Covenant Youth of Alaska (CYAK). CYAK has been active for 13 years in the youth ministry department of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Alaska. The mission is to be a catalyst for the development of youth ministry in Alaska. Villages in rural Alaska are without youth leaders or workers do to lack of financing and most locations are beyond the reach of the Alaskan road systems. Fly-in is the only way to reach village locations. CYAK is filling the need to spread the good news of Christ through creative means to the outback of Alaska.
CYAK has two objectives. One is to develop a "Continuum of Care" for Alaskan youth concentrating on youth from ages 12 to 25. This continuum includes Winning students to Christ, building them in their faith, and sending them out to serve others. Part of the continuum includes developing Covenant Bible Camp in Unalakleet, AK, coordinating regional youth events in the fall, and getting students from rural Alaska involved in leadership development and supporting college ministries such as: Campus Christian Fellowship at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Alaska, Anchorage, Job Corp in Palmer, Amundsen Educational Center, and Alaska Christian College.
Another objective for CYAK is to team build between the youth workers and volunteers
that can feel isolated and discouraged by the challenges they face while ministering to youth in a multicultural setting. Networking at camp, regional youth events, and times of training are critically important. Volunteers who are well equipped make a very real and significant difference in the lives of kids.
As Christ washed his disciples feet, he gave us a clear example of serving others. God has a thing for those who were poor and powerless. Many youth in Alaska fit this description. They don’t have much of a voice; yet many of them are crying out in the wilderness to be loved. If you look at the stats in Alaska, they are serious. You will see many of the youth are at risk for suicide as well as other harsh related behaviors. Many of the kids we are working with come from broken families that live in small villages where ministry options are limited.
Through Covenant Youth of Alaska we are finding creative ways to support youth and youth workers through a team network. We work in partnership with local churches creating a continuum of care for students… Whether you choose to serve in a small village or on the road system, one thing is sure - your work serving Christ will impact the lives of kids who are hurting.
Director of Youth Work for the Covenant in Alaska