Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations forever and ever! Amen.
2025
ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA
April 4, 2025
First Evangelical Covenant Church, Anchorage
PREPARING OUR HEARTS
1.Welcome & Opening Prayer – Ben Schoffmann, Chair
18.Local Church Reports (Part 3) – Road System – Church Representatives
19.Daniel Savetilik, Sr. Award – Curtis Ivanoff
GOING FORWARD IN MISSION
20.Financial Resources – Ben Schoffmann
a. NCP – Rob Hall
b.CTC – Tim Hedberg
21.2025 Minutes Motion – Ben Schoffmann
22.2026 Annual Meeting Information – Curtis Ivanoff
23.2025 Resolutions Committee Report
24.Prayer and Adjournment – Ben Schoffmann
Alaska Christian College
Bethel Covenant Church
Bethel Covenant Church
Eric Johnson
Edwin (Eddie) Havener
Asela Maria Calhoun
Chugach Covenant Church Ben Schoffmann
Chugach Covenant Church Martha Schoffmann
Chugach Covenant Church Gage Stair
CYAK Byron Bruckner
Eagle River Community Covenant Church Randall Hoffbeck
Elim Covenant Church Arniel Salinasal
Elim Covenant Church Marjorie Saccheus
Elim Covenant Church Mary Amaktoolik
Fairbanks Community Covenant Church Stan VanAmburg
Fairbanks Community Covenant Church Doris VanAmburg
Fairbanks Community Covenant Church Alyeska Callis
First Evangelical Covenant Church Criss Mitchell
First Evangelical Covenant Church
Andrea Wilson
First Evangelical Covenant Church Kristi Ivanoff
Golovin Covenant Church Craig Willoya
Hooper Bay Covenant Church
Hooper Bay Covenant Church
Hooper Bay Covenant Church
Patrick McClean
Kenneth Reed
Virginia May
Koyuk Covenant Church
Koyuk Covenant Church
Koyuk Covenant Church
Mat-Su Covenant Church
Mat-Su Covenant Church
Mat-Su Covenant Church
Mekoryuk Covenant Church
Mekoryuk Covenant Church
Mekoryuk Covenant Church
Mountain Village Covenant Church
Mountain Village Covenant Church
Nome Covenant Church
Nome Covenant Church
Nome Covenant Church
Scammon Bay Covenant Church
Scammon Bay Covenant Church
Shaktoolik Covenant Church
Shaktoolik Covenant Church
Shaktoolik Covenant Church
Unalakleet Covenant Church
Unalakleet Covenant Church
White Mountain Covenant Church
Don Cross
Jessie Anasogak
Annie Adams
John Meader
Linda Cortez
Sheree Meader
Lauren Thurston
Samson Weston
Lydia Weston
Chip Swanson
Joanne Swanson
Mike Zabel
Martha Outwater/Parker
Llyod Perrigo
Jason Stromstad
Drew Williams
James Barefoot
Lynn Jackson
Betty L Jackson
Abel Razzo
Kami Webster
Bonnie LaBore
Alaska Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church
2025 Annual Meeting
Standing Rules
1. Speaking/Obtaining the Floor
1.1 Only registered delegates and recognized guests, or resource persons will have speaking privileges.
1.2 At the discretion of the Moderator, others may be granted permission to speak in the event the speaker is deemed to be able to provide information needed to clarify the matter at hand.
2. Agenda
2.1 The initial agenda, with any modifications approved by the meeting, will be adopted with a majority vote.
2.2 In the event of a motion to modify the agenda subsequent to the adoption of the initial agenda, a 2/3 vote will be required for approval.
3. Voting
3.1 A delegate must be present to vote.
3.2 Most votes will be conducted by voice or show of hands, at the Moderator’s discretion. However, delegates may request votes by ballot if approved by the meeting.
3.3 Elections will be conducted by ballot.
3.4 For each election, nominations will be accepted from the floor (up to 1 per open position).
3.5 Persons placing names in for nomination from the floor shall first obtain the prior permission of the nominee. The individual being nominated must be present at the time and confirm their willingness to accept the nomination.
3.6 In the event that no candidate in a 3-way election receives at least 50% of the votes cast, the candidate receiving the lowest vote total will be eliminated. Subsequent ballot elections will then be conducted as needed among the two remaining candidates until one candidate receives a majority of the votes cast.
4. Debate and Time limits
4.1 Debate on any main motion, including its subsidiary motions, will be limited to twenty (20) minutes except as otherwise specified in these standing rules or the agenda.
4.2 No speech in debate may exceed three (3) minutes.
4.3 Time limits of debate may be extended once for an additional 20-minute period by a two -thirds majority vote.
4.4 Delegates may speak once to an issue, and not again on the same issue until after someone else, who has not yet had a turn, has spoken.
2024ANNUALMEETING MINUTES
April 12, 2024: Shaktoolik Covenant Church
PREPARING OUR HEARTS
1. Welcome, directions & opening prayer – Ben Schoffmann, Chair Ben called the meeting to order at 9:12 AM. He thanked those present for coming and acknowledged the challenges of travel in light of the storm, and that some may still be in transit. Betty Kay Jackson welcomed the delegates and visitors to Shaktoolik
3. Report on delegates - Chris Perrigo, Secretary 47 registered. 34 present (a majority of registrants). Quorum established.
4. Acceptance of agenda – Ben Schoffmann
Asela Calhoun moved to approve the agenda with an addition, “Church Removal from Roster of Covenant Church”, Brian Nanninga seconded. Motion passed..
5. Acknowledgement of 2023 Minutes (approved by AC Executive Board) – Ben Schoffmann
STRENGTHENING & SUPPORTING OUR SHARED MISSION
6. Special Greetings from Evangelical Covenant Church
a. Grace Shim (Executive Minister of Serve Globally) – Grace brought greetings from the ECC in Chicago. She provided highlights of Serve Globally’s work across the world as an encouragement and reminder of our mission priorities.
b.Dennis Edwards (Dean, North Park Theological Seminary) – Dennis brought greetings from North Park and highlighted current work and focus areas at the Seminary.
7. Ministry Reports
a. Superintendent - Curtis Ivanoff
Curtis referred to his report included in the meeting materials. We have relied on the truth of the hymn, “Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father” this past year. Over 20 people, many representing our ministries took part in the strategic planning process last November. Our new mission statement is “Shepherding Leaders” and our three “COR” functions are Care, Oversight and Resourcing. God has provided 4 pastors to serve in the villages of Mekoryuk, White Mountain, Mat-Su, and Unalakleet; additional ones being voted to serve in Elim and a pastoral candidate willing to serve in a rural Alaska community. Adam London will be concluding in Bethel. Samaritan’s Purse built a new
sanctuary in Koyuk with plans to build a new sanctuary in Mekoryuk this summer. A Merge Ministry team traveled to Elim to rebuild fish racks after the storm Merbok. The Town and Country Commission visited five rural communities focusing on encouraging and supporting pastors. These partner ministries have been an immense blessing. Brian has helped strengthen our connections with these denominational resources. Jaime Nanninga will be concluding her service with the Alaska Conference and Lynnette Boyer has been hired to continue managing the office. Prayer for Curtis by Ben Schoffmann.
b.Associate Superintendent - Brian Nanninga
Brian referred to his report in the meeting packet and provided a few highlights. This has been a year built on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ. The Kenai River Fishing Friendzy continues to be a favorite time of care and relationship building with pastors and ministry leaders. Travel began last fall with a team of Praying Pelicans Ministry meeting with Pastor Don Cross in Koyuk and the Elim Church Board. A new initiative of care for pastors is called PPM 365. A pastor who came to Elim with his wife who is a teacher was invited to the Pastor Leader Retreat. They are both from the Philippines. We had hoped to go to the Philippines to learn from them but instead God brought the Philippines to us. This pastor is trained with extensive experience serving rural communities. (He has now been called to the role of pastor in Elim.) The dedication of the new Koyuk church building and the ten-year celebration of the Nome church building were times of celebration and thanks for the partnership with Samaritans Purse. There was an exploratory trip to the island of Kodiak for a possible church plant; we are still a long way from being ready to launch a church there but trusting God is at work. Mid-Winter was a time of refreshment for pastors and ministry leaders. Brian joined in these highs as well as the grief of sitting with CYAK team members through the loss of suicide of a key volunteer and the news of a beloved volunteer and friend, Terry Reynolds, who died unexpectedly. A Special Commission was formed by the AC Executive Board regarding our ongoing ministry efforts in rural Alaska. Two invited guests, Dr. Paul DeNeui and Peg Koring-Cichon shared their knowledge on how the Gospel spreads in foreign countries and working within indigenous communities and grant writing/fundraising. We believe that prayer can move mountains and should be our primary weapon in the war to expand the Gospel in our region. Prayer for Brian by Abel Razzo.
c. Alaska Christian College – Sean Hoffbeck Sean referred to the report provided. He shared that Keith is grateful for a strong network of faithful prayer warriors and partners as ACC is now in its 23rd year. The grand opening for the Athletic Center will be September 27, 2024. Construction continues this spring with the Gloria Chapel possible by two generous donors as well as a Wellness Center to be completed 2025 or 2026. The college is seeking to recruit and retain more students post-COVID by meeting with stakeholders to consider new strategies and seek new “pools” to fish in for students in Alaska and the lower 48 American Native tribal groups. An intern program is available through the MJ Murdock Foundation. Interns and a department chair for the AA degree in Behavioral Health is needed. ACC’s 25th celebration is being planned beginning Fall 2025 and
completing May 2026 at the commencement. ACC needs and desires more students. Prayer for Keith, ACC, and New Hope Counseling Center by Kristi Ivanoff.
d.Covenant Youth ofAlaska - Byron Bruckner
Byron referred to his written report and provided some additional highlights.
Mike Alverts is coordinating increased village outreach to support local leaders and help reach more young people. On site visits have included Nome, Hooper Bay, Mekoryuk, Shaktoolik, with multiple trips to Elim. Young adult retreats are held in the fall and late winter. This event can be a launching pad for internships, leadership camp and Bible camp. Linnea Shaw and Adam Kaganak are current year long interns. 4 summer interns served at Bible Camp last summer and currently applications are being taken. Last summer 301 campers and 124 staff participated in Bible Camp. Recruitment for this summer camp is taking place. Leadership Camp takes place in May at the Chickaloon Retreat Center. Prayer by Byron for our youth.
Byron presented the CYAK Volunteer of the Year awarded to Lloyd & Christina Perrigo. Chris shared some reflections of Bible Camp over the years.
e. Arctic Broadcasting (KICY) - Patty Burchell
Patty gave her report highlighting some additional items from her written report. God provides for KICY in ways that humble and amaze us. The planned upgrade project was replacing aging studio audio boards with digital boards. The phone system was also replaced, thanks to Steve Smit, Terry Reynolds and Nate Hobbs. The unplanned project was the leaning west tower at the transmitter site. God put the pieces together on the day the tower was raised and base replaced: expert personnel, specialty equipment, funds and a suitable weather window. KICY connects with lower 48 churches and donors through salmon fundraising dinners as well as Alaskan village opportunities such as basketball games, church conferences, and get-togethers. The significant loss of Terry Reynolds and his many years of engineering and operational support was lamented. Prayer for Patty and ABA/KICY by Mike Zabel
8. Local Church Reports: YK Delta
Church reports were provided in the meeting packet. Representatives came forward to share a praise and a prayer: Asela Calhoun – Bethel Covenant Church; David Smart – Hooper Bay Covenant Church; no delegate – Mekoryuk Covenant Church, Scammon Bay Covenant Church, Mtn. Village Covenant Church.Curtis prayed for the YK Delta churches
Break for lunch 12:15 – 1:02 PM
9. Daniel Savetilik, Sr. Award – Curtis Ivanoff
Lynn and Betty Kay Jackson were given the award for 2024 Lynn and Betty Kay shared a sincere testimony and their gratitude for receiving this award. Prayer of thanks by Curtis.
10. Financial Report – Adam London, Finance Committee (Chair)
Adam shared that the past year’s finances are concerning. Matters were made worse by a change in bookkeeper; a lot of the numbers are still in flux, although the overall message is unchanged Income was significantly down due to reduced grant opportunities, church giving, and individual giving. Expenses were about as expected, but we have a significant negative cash flow, requiring a substantial dip into our reserves. Thankfully, God has provided a large reserve from past giving and other sources.
Ben Schoffmann suggested that detailed, honest discussions need to take place to faithfully do what God has called us to do using the resources God has provided. Therefore, Alaska Conference Executive Board has agreed to establish a Special Commission starting mid-May, whose goal is to align our finances with our current strategic plan, creating a clear path for robust financial, structural, and spiritual support of village churches and their pastors and to empower increased fundraising from sources external to our conference so that we can sustainably steward our mission. A proposed timeline was also shared.
Questions were received and addressed, and there was general support for the idea of the Special Commission. It was noted that a change to a local bookkeeper was also being explored.
11. Budget proposal & approval – Adam London
Adam addressed the forecast 2024-25 Budget, which again anticipates substantial shortfalls in funding. The budget anticipates the inclusion of the Village Pastors Fund, currently handled outside of the Operating Budget, into the Budget starting this year. This will provide greater fundraising focus and visibility. Motion from the Executive Committee, requiring no second: To approve the proposed FY 24.25 AK Conference Annual Budget as presented. Questions were raised and addressed. Some wanted more detail and others advocating trusting the Special Commission to do their work to resolve bookkeeping questions and develop a recommended path forward in the coming year. Byron Bruckner called for the question, Asela Calhoun seconded. Majority of the attendees raised their hands to proceed to vote on the Budget, acknowledging that the Special Commission is designed to address the challenges for the longer term.
Vote was then taken on the Budget motion. Motion passed..
12. Local Church Reports- Road System– Church Representatives Road system church reports were referenced in the meeting packet, and delegates came forward to share a praise and prayer request: Ben Schoffmann – Chugach Covenant Church; Andrea Wilson – First Covenant Church Anchorage; Marc Lantz and Pastor John Meader - MatSu Covenant Church; no delegate – Community Covenant Church (Eagle River), Community Covenant Church (Fairbanks), and Mountain View Hope Covenant Church. Grace Takak prayed for Road System Churches.
13. Credentialing Report from Ministerium – Mike Zabel, AK Ministerial Association Chair Ordination Report Mike Zabel noted that Randy Hoffbeck is approved for finalization, pending
recommendations from the Alaska Conference and ECC Ministerium. The AC Ministerium provided the motion to forward the Alaska Ministerial Association’s recommendation of Ordination to Word and Sacrament for Randy Hoffbeck to the Annual Meetings of the ECC Ministerium, and, if approved, to the ECC for their approval. There was discussion in support of Randy. Mike Swanson called for the question. Sean Hoffbeck seconded. The vote was taken. Motion passed. Further seconds can be provided to the Alaska Conference office.
Mike then reviewed license approvals for consideration and approval.
a. Bi-Vocational License – 1st time
Bonnie LaBore (White Mountain Covenant Church)
b. Bi-Vocational Licenses – Renewals
George Mastroyanis (Community Covenant Church – Eagle River)
Stan Van Amburg (Community Covenant Church – Fairbanks)
Abel Razzo (Unalakleet Covenant Church)
c. Ministry License – 1st time
Christianne Zeiger (ACC)
Ministry Licenses – Renewals
Mike Alverts (CYAK)
James Barefoot (MatSu Covenant Church)
Jeff Keyser (CYAK)
Tyler Shaw (Community Covenant Church – Eagle River)
James Ventress (Nome Covenant Church/CYAK)
Drew Williams (Scammon Bay Covenant Church/CYAK)
Motion from the AC Ministerial Association: To forward the Alaska Ministerial Association’s recommendations for Bi-Vocational and Ministry Licenses to the Annual Meetings of the ECC Ministerium, and, if approved, to the ECC for approval. No second required. The motion carried.
Curtis acknowledged the transitioning of pastors: Abel Razzo - lead pastor of Unalakleet Covenant (installed January 2024), Lauren Thurston - Mekoryuk Covenant Church (installed August 2023), John Meader - MatSu Covenant Church (installed January 2024), Bonnie LaBore - White Mountain Covenant Church (installed October 2023), Arniel Salinasal - called to Elim Covenant Church, Mike Alvertsleading Western Alaska Ministry for CYAK, Steve Hickey - Alaska Christian College (professor), Adam London – transitioning out of Bethel Covenant Church (summer).
The Nominating Commission presented candidates for the open positions on the board, meeting all required stipulations of the bylaws. 2 candidates were provided for each open seat. There were no nominations from the floor. After collection and counting, the following were elected to serve on the Executive Board: Heidi Ivanoff – Norton Sound, Sarah Miller (incumbent) – Road System, Patrick McLean - YK Delta Ben offered thanks to Adam London and Beda Prentice for their years of service
15. Church Removal from Roster of Covenant Churches
Curtis Ivanoff discussed two inactive churches, and circumstances. The Executive Board provided the Motion to remove Kalskag Bible Chapel from the roster of Covenant Churches. No second required; no discussion. The motion passed.. This recommendation will be forwarded to the ECC Annual Meeting.
16.Local Church Reports- Norton Sound – Church Representatives
Norton Sound Church reports were shared by Kenneth Takak – Elim Covenant Church; Jessie Anagogic and Pastor Don Cross - Koyuk Covenant Church; Emilie Zabel – Nome Covenant Church; Betty Kay Jackson – Shaktoolik Covenant Church; Doris Ivanoff, Alfred Anasogak, Abel Razzo – Unalakleet Covenant Church; Linda Ione – White Mountain Covenant Church No delegate – Golovin Covenant Church. Byron Bruckner prayed for Norton Sound Churches.
GOING FORWARD IN MISSION
17. 2024 Minutes Motion – Ben Schoffmann
Abel Razzo moved that the Conference Executive Board be authorized to prepare and approve the 2024 Annual Meeting Minutes. Asela Calhoun seconded. Motion passed..
18. 2025Annual Meeting location – Curtis Ivanoff
Curtis shared that the next meeting is scheduled for the Road System, and that the Conference is working with churches for possible sites to be determined.
19. 2024 Resolutions Committee Report – Mike Zabel & TJ Smith
Whereas, Shaktoolik Covenant Church has been our gracious hosts for the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Alaska Conference, the delegates of the Annual Meeting give thanks and praise to God for our hosts’ friendship, delicious food, warm hospitality, and sincere caring as they have hosted the delegates, guests, and family known as the Alaska Conference.
Be it resolved that the Alaska Conference Annual meeting gives thanks to Shaktoolik Covenant Church who served so tirelessly to host and feed us so well this week as we gathered together.
Be it resolved that the following are recognized with thanks: Lynda Bekoalok, on site coordinator, helpers, Jenni Jackson, Anna Etageak, Dolly Etageak along with cooks Della Etageak, Elise Murchison, Aleigha and Clint Daniels. Thanks to driver, runner, mover, Gary Bekoalok, Lynn and Betty Kay Jackson, Marc Murchison, Shaktoolik Mayor Eugene Asicksik, the Shaktoolik Native Corporation and the Shaktoolik IRA, Levi and Jen Cross and the River of Life Church for partnering with us and for the use of the church and housing. Thanks to many more who served as drivers, brought food, shoveled snow, moved things, cleaned houses and buildings for housing, carried boxes and dumped trash.
Be it resolved that the Alaska Conference Annual meeting recognizes and gives thanks to all those who hosted delegates and guests in their home during the Conference.
Be it resolved that the Alaska Conference Annual meeting recognizes and gives thanks to Marc Murchinson, Glenn Kaiser, and the team of musicians, projectionists, and sound technicians who have led us in worshiping Jesus through songs, hymns, praise and worship and visual arts and sound.
Be it resolved that the Alaska Conference Annual Meeting jubilantly celebrates the many delegates
and friends of the Covenant Church in Alaska coming together in Shaktoolik to share and live and grow in the Good News of Jesus Christ in villages and cities throughout Alaska.
Be it resolved that the Alaska Conference Annual Meeting recognizes the contributions of our honored guests who help cultivate and develop leaders in Alaska. We are grateful for Conference Associate Superintendent Brian Nanninga who challenged us to find ways to love people where we are.
Be it resolved that the Alaska Conference Annual Meeting offers thanks to outgoing members Beda Prentice and Adam London for their service on our Executive Board.
Be it resolved that the Alaska Conference Annual Meeting offers thanks to Kristi Ivanoff and Jaime Nanninga for leading us in registration, planning and up-front leadership of our Conference Annual Meeting and helping us keep on track. We also welcome Lynnette Boyer to the conference office and thank for her work at this year’s Annual Meeting.
Be it resolved that the Alaska Conference Annual Meeting is grateful for our speakers opening God’s Word to us. For Grace Shim, Executive Director of Serve Globally, and for Dennis Edwards, Dean of North Park Seminary, for their encouragement and challenge from the Word to live as disciples of our amazing Savior Jesus.
Be it resolved that the Alaska Conference Annual Meeting gives thanks for the ministry and service that Superintendent Curtis Ivanoff, and Associate Superintendent Brian Nanninga bring to our churches and pastors.
Be it resolved that the Alaska Conference Annual Meeting calls and affirms Heidi Ivanoff of the Norton Sound, Patrick McClean of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, and Sarah Miller from the Road System, to serve on the Executive Board of the Alaska Conference.
Be it resolved, that the Alaska Conference Annual Meeting looks forward to joining the Covenant Church family next year for the 2025 Alaska Conference Annual Meeting.
Be it further resolved, that the Alaska Conference Annual Meeting gives thanks and praise to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who have empowered us and called us to be witnesses of the saving and life transforming work of Jesus Christ. May that be seen in all that we say and do as we return to homes and churches so that Acts 1:8 will be fulfilled in our Jerusalem’s, Judea’s and Samaria’s, and to ends of the earth.
20. Prayer andAdjournment – Ben Schoffmann
Motion to adjourn at 4:31 PM by Kristi, seconded by Asela Calhoun, all in favor. Closing prayer by Superintendent Curtis Ivanoff.
MARCH 2025
Greetings Covenant Family,
Thank you for taking the time to be present together, to pray, to worship, to fellowship, and to collectively discern how God is moving within your conference and where you are being called to partner with God more deeply in this coming season of ministry. I love that these annual gatherings are often referred to as a “celebration” as there is so much to celebrate in the Covenant Church.
I am excited about the upcoming gathering of our local churches for Gather 2025 in Orlando, Florida! We will be joined by many of the presidents of our sister Covenant denominations around the world as we come together to celebrate 140 years of shared mission and ministry. Our global ministry and partnerships have been transformational to both our local churches here in North America and to communities around the world. What an amazing grace we participate in when we work together in service to Jesus and follow him where he leads us. The theme of this year’s gathering is “Follow Me.” Throughout the week, we will hear Jesus’s timeless call to “Follow Me”—the invitation that has transformed countless lives across the centuries. Come connect with sisters and brothers, joining guests from around the world, as we celebrate, discern, and dream together—following Christ into the next chapter of the Covenant story. Please plan to attend in person or online as a delegate or a general conferee. This will be a time that you will not want to miss out on. Details, including how to register, are available online: covchurch.org/gather.
As we prepare to gather both locally and nationally, I feel a deep burden to call our churches to pray. Pray for our churches seeking to faithfully respond to the many places in need of the love of Jesus expressed through words and through acts of compassion, mercy, justice, and peace-making. This will look different in each of your communities, but as a nation, we are facing a time where the love of Christ and his call to care for the lost and the least of these has never felt more pressing. Sharing God’s love in word and deed is embedded in the DNA of the Covenant Church. May we, as God’s people who experience the love of the Father, continue to seek the good of our brothers and sisters in need. May we act boldly as we are led by the Holy Spirit, through the resurrection power of Christ Jesus, to bring the good news of God’s kingdom to a lost and hurting world.
For God’s glory and neighbor’s good,
Tammy Swanson-Draheim, PRESIDENT, EVANGELICAL COVENANT CHURCH
Celebrating 140 years of shared mission and ministry.
2025 Superintendent Report
INTRODUCTION
We are a part of a long story of gospel of Jesus at work here in Alaska in and through our Evangelical Covenant Churches and ministries. I thank God for the joy and life that we see spring up because of new life in Jesus. But often times, we work and pray and serve and may not see fruit right away. It is especially so when we are faced with life or ministry situations that represent a mountain that seemingly cannot be moved. We can name the struggles and probably we can share about mountains that we see in our personal life, family lives or local communities. This year we gather together to turn our eyes to Jesus, to the one who invited us to call on his name to see mountains moved, and to trust that God can do “more than we can ask or imagine” in the name of Jesus.
I want to express my deep gratitude for the service of Brian Nanninga as our Associate Superintendent. He concluded with us in October 2024 to answer the call to serve in a senior director position with our denomination. Brian has been a trusted and like-hearted partner for almost four years and was such an encouragement to spur us on in being intentional and diligent to pray to Jesus for our Alaska church. It was a joy to serve with him and we expressed gratitude at the October Pastor Leader retreat.
CONFERENCE LOCAL CHURCH PASTORS AND MINISTRY LEADERS
The roster of our local church lead pastors, interim pastors and ministry leaders from throughout this past year.
Pastor Church
Ben Schoffmann Chugach
Open Hooper Bay
Adam London Bethel
Arniel Salinasal Elim
Abel Razzo Unalakleet
Stan Van Amburg
Pastor Church
Criss Mitchell First Covenant ANC
Lauren Thurston Mekoryuk
John Meader Mat-Su Covenant
Randy Hoffbeck* Community Covenant (ER)
Todd Michero Community Covenant (ER)
Community Covenant (FAI) Open Golovin
Mike Zabel Nome
Jason Stromstad Scammon Bay
Open Mountain Village
Phil Cannon Mountain View Hope
Don Cross Koyuk
James Barefoot Shaktoolik
Bonnie LaBore White Mountain
Craig Nordstrom* Bethel *serving as interim pastor
Leader Ministry
Byron Bruckner Covenant Youth of Alaska
Leader Ministry
Keith Hamilton Alaska Christian College
Patty Burchell KICY Radio
Chaplain Ministry Chaplain Ministry
Maj. Mark Hill Eielson Air Force Base Capt. Amy Smith Ft. Wainwright
Capt.Derek Vandermolen JBER
Christianne Zeiger Kenai Peninsula Home Health
Frank Alioto Central Peninsula Hospital
Alaska Conference Executive Board
Y-K Delta: Drew Williams, Edward Kiokun, Patrick McLean
Norton Sound: Heidi Ivanoff, Christina Perrigo, Don Cross Road System: Ben Schoffmann, Sarah Miller, Debbie Hamilton
MISSION AND MINISTRY
In 2023, we engaged in a strategic planning process and identified three areas of focus for how we serve our local churches, pastors and ministries: Care, Oversight and Resourcing. Those areas have been how we focus our time and energy to steward our resources.
There are almost always open pastor positions throughout our 18 churches in Alaska. Nome, Bethel and Community Covenant-Eagle River are all engaged in active pastoral searches and we support those efforts through networking within our denomination, as well as seeking other connections to find candidates. There are also three villages that have had openings for awhile and we seek to find candidates all the same. I encourage us to pray for God’s provision. There is a shortage of pastoral candidates throughout the broader church in the United States and Canada. There are other Conferences that share in the need to find pastor candidates and searches in general tend to take longer. But Jesus exhorted his followers in Matthew 9:36 -38 to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers. Join me in that prayer as we continue to work at it.
We give thanks to God for the calling of Pastors Arniel Salinasal (Elim) and James Barefoot (Shaktoolik) this year. We thank God for the service of Pastors Adam London (Bethel) and Todd Michero (Community Covenant) who concluded and moved to different ministry settings outside of Alaska.
There are two developments that are a work in progress that are worth highlighting in thinking about the need for laborers (pastors). One is that our denomination is aware of our need and has expressed a willingness to slightly tailor the process to become credentialed as a “bi -vocational” pastor for those who serve in village churches. Long ago we called it “lay pastor”. Our hope is that by adjusting the credentialing process, we would see our village church leaders who currently serve, and have demonstrated pastoral giftings, would be empowered to move forward in becoming licensed. While we will always work at finding pastor candidates in all our churches, I see this as a season for our people to step up to serve into roles that God has gifted our people to serve.
The other development is that our school, Alaska Christian College, has made the decision to be open to offer courses and training for the sake of equipping people from our rural communities for pastoral ministry. This movement is a work in progress, but it is encouraging to know of ACC’s desire to serve our church in this way.
We consider the care and resourcing of our pastors and leaders of utmost importance. Our pastors and leaders were blessed by Professor Max Lee from North Park Theological Seminary in opening God’s Word to us at our retreat in October. In the summer, we hosted 34 pastors and ministry workers on the Kenai River and netted a total of 648 red salmon, we call it our AK Conference Fishing Friendzy. What a blessing for our people. 25 Alaska pastors attended the Midwinter Conference in Denver, a meaningful time to gather as ECC pastors. We have held twice a month check in Zoom calls for pastors to pray for one another and share joys and burden. We helped facilitate a group of pastors book study group. There are so many other conversations and times of prayer that mark our efforts to care and resource our pastors and leaders.
Resourcing our churches looks like fostering partnerships. This summer there are three Merge Ministry teams coming to rural Alaska communities to build relationship and serve. There are also several other lower 48 churches and ministries that partner with other rural and road system churches to help further ministry in the summer time. The ministry that happens in East Anchorage on 435 Standish in the summer time through Chugach Covenant and its many partners is a source of joy and encouragement. We are grateful for our many partners.
We again thank God for the generous partnership of Samaritans Purse as they built a new church building for Mekoryuk Covenant Church this past summer. This was the third summer in a row they have partnered with us to provide new, beautiful, efficient facilities for the sake of our rural churches to be able to gather for worship and ministry through the week. We also have had people from other churches come to serve in villages, like White Mountain and Shaktoolik, to make needed improvements.
Mountain View Hope Covenant Church was planted by Pastor Phil Cannon, with the work beginning in September 2017. The church weathered the season of Covid, impacting the common track of after three years a church plant becoming an ECC “member” church. That did not take place, but God has been faithful and the ministry of Mountain View Hope has remained. In November we met to begin to intentionally discern what the future of the church might look like. Pray as the church is in a season, along with the Conference and ECC leadership, of discernment.
In October, we were able to walk with two churches by providing “Living Your Why” workshops in partnership with our congregational vitality work led by Mary Hendrickson. Nome Covenant and MatSu Covenant have taken advantage of the resources that Serve Local provide. We are encouraged of the willingness by the ECC to continue to be a resource for us in Alaska in light of Brian Nanninga concluding.
One of my duties is to serve on the boards of our three ministries of Alaska Christian College, Covenant Youth of Alaska and KICY Radio (Arctic Broadcast Association). We have much to be thankful for in the ministry that takes place through our organizations. Pray especially for Alaska Christian College as it has been challenged, like many small, private Christian schools, with low student enrollment. I give God thanks for our Bible Camp ministry and also for the steady, heartfelt encouragement that broadcast over the airwaves of KICY Radio.
The Conference provides oversight for our churches and pastors. One such issue that I have been very involved in was to support Mountain Village Covenant in working to resolve a land issue. The local native corporation raised the issue that the church did not have a deed for the land that the church was built upon. It took two and a half years and the hiring of an attorney to help give counsel and guidance. At the end of December, the deed was given to the church and recorded. It was a relief to the church to finally have the issue resolved.
In conclusion I want to express how deeply grateful I am for our team of Lynnette Boyer and Kristi Ivanoff. I treasure that we all share in the joy of partnership in the work of the gospel of Jesus in and through our Alaska Conference churches and ministries. At this annual meeting I will be providing an update about the soon to be new configuration of our Alaska Conference team.
I count it a joy to serve you all in the way I do and continually seek God’s wisdom as I steward the leadership God has given to me in this role of Superintendent. I pray and trust that Jesus will move mountains.
Respectfully submitted,
Curtis Ivanoff, Superintendent
REPORT TO THE ALASKA CONFERENCE
JANUARY 31, 2025
Greetings from your Christian college on the Kenai Peninsula. The ACC Board of Trustees are as follows: Rev. Tim Ciccone, Chair; Shawn Aspelund, Vice Chair; Sam Trotzke, Treasurer; Michael Emerson, Secretary; Jason Battiest, Brent Cunningham, Steve Dawson, Jessica Hanneman, Rev. Tim Hedberg, Diane Krusemark, Loren Leman, Joshua Mattlaw, Joelle Peelgren, Luke Ringenberg, Sarah Swanson, Rev. Stan VanAmburg, Jennifer Waller, Rev. Dr. Keith Hamilton (President), Rev. Curtis Ivanoff (Superintendent), Debbie Hamilton (Advisory).
ACC has budgeted for the current year based on the total of 40 students on campus. For the fall of 2024, we began with 45 students and this fall began with 40 students. We saw the usual loss of non-retained students over the holidays and so far have kept all our students that enrolled this January. While not optimum numbers, we see our new strategic enrollment plan bringing a larger fall class while we will also graduate up to 10 students this April 26th. The Enrollment Plan includes replacing our VP for Enrollment with the additional role of oversight of Student Services, hiring a new road system recruiter, hiring a media firm to work with multi-media platforms, “deputizing” CYAK staff to recruit, and funding scholarships to a greater level. Of all current strategies, returning our student numbers to closer to previous COVID-19 levels is our top priority.
We are excited after a good pilot launch to our YAMAHA certification programs. While five were in the class last fall, 12 are enrolled this semester. We believe this is a new way to reach more students through career technical courses. Pray with us for a $300,000 grant US Senate Appropriations for a larger launch next fall for an expanded CTE program. When completed, any certified student can work in any authorized YAMAHA dealer in the US!
We are also working with North Park Theological Seminary regarding funding to offer classes to allow our rural lay people and called and gifted pastor-types to complete their work at ACC to be licensed for village pastorates. NPTS is currently writing a grant that would support our combined effort to raise up more leaders for rural Alaska ministry and Ben Schoffmann and Supt. Ivanoff are working with the ECC Dept. of Ordered Ministry to work through the licensure opportunities. Other ECC ministries are also working to get their gifted leaders moving towards licensure.
This year beginning in Sept. 2025 and completing in May 2025 is our 25th anniversary year with the BIG event being the Celebration at ChangePoint Church on Oct. 18th. It will be the largest event in ACC’s history and you are invited to place this in pen on your calendar!
35109 Royal Place
Soldotna, AK 99669
p: 907.260.7422
f: 907.260.6722
www.AlaskaCC.edu
Our athletic center continues to be the greatest addition to our overall ministry to students as well as to the community. We celebrate the new ministries that the AC provides to especially our community. A rural village basketball week of camp is also included this summer on campus for middle school aged youth with evangelism being a large part of the week’s program.
ACC is finishing its first ever book on the many miracles over our first 25 years called, “Miracles on Royal Place.” This story of God’s faithfulness will be an amazing testament to all who have served here over all these years. With a pictorial guide, it will be a book that you won’t be able to put down! It will debut at the Celebration Dinner and Fundraiser in October as well as an anniversary surprise for all.
God’s best to you as we serve our Alaska Conference together bringing hope and life-changing education.
Rev. Dr. Keith Hamilton, President
Alaska Christian College
Income Statement
1/31/2025
Alaska Christian College
Income Statement
1/31/2025
Alaska Christian College
Income Statement
1/31/25 (YOY)(G&A)
Alaska Christian College
Balance Sheet
1/31/2025
Alaska Christian College
General & Auxiliary Statement of Cash Flows
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) FOR PERIOD $68,178
ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE NET INCOME TO NET CASH
PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES $217,124
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES ($13,550)
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES ($172,114)
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH $31,461 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AS OF 6/1/2024 $74,487 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AS OF 1/31/2025 $105,948
Covenant Youth of Alaska Annual Report 2024-2025 - April
CYAK Programs
Bible Camp Last summer, we welcomed approximately 300 youth, 125 volunteers, six young adult interns, and 25 high school student leaders. Bible Camp is a special place where youth and staff from many communities gather to worship, experience the love of Christ, and live in Christian community. If you haven’t been, you’re missing out on something truly special! It is a joy to see so many young people praising the Lord and growing in their faith. While it requires significant preparation, financial support, and dedication, Bible Camp remains a vital ministry for CYAK. Many students begin their faith journey at Camp, while others deepen their relationship with Jesus. In a world full of distractions, Camp provides a sacred space in God’s creation, free from internet noise, where kids can hear and see the voice and hand of God. We invite you to consider serving or supporting a camper this summer—your generosity makes this ministry possible!
Upcoming Bible Camp Schedule:
● Camp Prep Week: May 27-29
● High School: May 30 - June 5
● Middle School: June 5-11
● Trailblazers: June 12-17
● Pathfinders: June 17-22
Bible Camp Committee: Jeff Keyser, Drew Williams, Brad and Kami Webster, Mike Alverts, Aly Callis
Young Adult Retreats This year, we held two young adult retreats at Big Lake, near Wasilla, with approximately 55 participants. These weekends provide young adults with a chance to engage in worship and deepen their faith. Each retreat features worship, Bible Q&A panels, teaching, small groups, fellowship, and fun. This spring, CYAK will host a similar retreat at ACC for young adults in Soldotna.
Jr. High/High School Road System Retreats CYAK coordinated high school and junior high retreats with our Southcentral road system churches. The high school retreat had 22 participants, while the junior high retreat had 26. These retreats offer a meaningful time for students to unplug, engage with peers, and grow in faith.
Mekoryuk - November Youth Retreat In late November, CYAK facilitated a youth retreat on Nunivak Island, serving 20+ junior high and high school students. There are 26 youth total in the community. The retreat featured Scriptural teaching, mental health workshops, worship, crafts, games, and meals.
Village Youth Ministry Mike Alverts, CYAK’s Rural Alaska Network Director, is equipping local leaders to minister to youth in their communities. Mike traveled to Nome,
Elim, and spent significant time in Shaktoolik this fall, and recently traveled with a team to Unalakleet after the Bering air accident and most recently to Hooper Bay. His role focuses on identifying, developing, and training youth and Sunday school leaders. If you’d like Mike to assist with training or a youth retreat, please contact him or our CYAK office.
Aarigaa Discipleship House We currently have five residents (three men and two women) at the Aarigaa House, with a remodel underway that will increase capacity to 10-12 students. The current group has shown remarkable openness and vulnerability, leading to deeper trust within the community. Residents are working in Anchorage, learning what it means to live in Christian community and grow in faith as adults.
Crossroads Young Adult Ministry CYAK partners with First Covenant Church for young adult outreach and discipleship ministry. Crossroads, a gathering in Anchorage, provides fellowship and discipleship opportunities. This year, Kristi Ivanoff and Alex Tsakos introduced "Pathways," a discipleship program held every other Wednesday— Alex leads the men’s group, while Kristi and Victoria Tsakos lead the women’s group.
Next Gen Elders in Training (Discipleship Camp) This small, intensive discipleship experience at Chickaloon Retreat Center launches in early May. If you know young adults eager to deepen their faith, contact Camp Program Director TJ Smith.
Chickaloon Retreat Center This past summer, we added two new yurts, each housing ten youth. Plans are underway to complete the bunks, flooring, insulation, and stairs, increasing retreat capacity to 35.
Partnerships CYAK maintains several Memorandums of Understanding to support youth ministry staffing:
● Nome Covenant: James Ventress
● Scammon Bay Covenant: Drew Williams
● First Covenant – Anchorage: Alex Tsakos
● C3 Muldoon: Rosa
● ACC (Recruitment Support): Mike Alverts
● Native InterVarsity: UAA and UAF locations
Other Active Partnerships:
● Lutheran Indian Ministries: Providing "Healing Wounds of Trauma" training in Unalakleet and Shaktoolik in April.
● Amundsen Educational Center (AEC): Exploring a partnership to establish a second Aarigaa House site in Soldotna.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers for CYAK’s ministry!
Aarigaa
Jan 31, 25
Covenant Youth of Alaska Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual
Covenant Youth of Alaska Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual
April 2024 through March 2025
Ordinary Income/Expense Income
4150 · Mission Fund Donations
4610
4610C · Murdock Internships
4610D · Murdock DOMO
4610E · ACF
4610 · Grants - Other Total 4610 · Grants
4709
7253
7300
7350
KICY
MANAGER’S REPORT
God is good, all the time, and we continue to witness that daily at KICY. As we celebrate 65 years in ministry on April 17, 2025, we have no intention to slow down. Many look to 65 as the time to retire. Not KICY. We will continue to spread the Gospel over the airwaves, as God empowers, well into the future.
Last summer was once again a wet one. The big project was the repair of the tower radials that had been damaged during the tower base replacement in September of 2023. The “Dream Team” of engineers who had installed the new transmitter in 2021 and a team from Community Covenant in Eagle River gathered the week of July 4th to complete the project. The three engineers from out of state came specifically to honor Terry Reynolds by completing a project he had invited them to participate in the previous fall. The week of the 4th was selected as it was then that Terry’s family could also come to Nome to spread his ashes, as he desired, at the tower site. The team worked hard and fast to get the majority of the work done before the rains came, and completed the work under makeshift cover during the ensuing storm. We held a beautiful memorial service for Terry, in the rain, which his family thought was fitting.
The Fall Salmon Fundraising Dinner Tour in October took me to Minnesota, Chicago, Washington state (2 dinners), and California (2 dinners). One of the dinners in California was at the Presbyterian church I attended for nearly 20 years and was my sending church when I first came to Nome to volunteer at KICY 25 years ago. What a blessing to share what God is doing through this ministry with old friends, many of whom I have not seen in at least ten years.
Part of the mission of KICY is to connect the villages of western Alaska with each other and the church at large. We do that by broadcasting regional sports (basketball and wrestling this year) and church conferences as we are able. This year we are down a staff member so our representation at Get Togethers has been primarily through sending a recorder to the event. We record the services and then edit them for later play, as well as pull songs off to add to our on air library. I attended the Covenant Midwinter Conference in January which is always a good time to connect with churches, spark interest in hosting a Salmon Dinner, and get the word out regarding our need for staff. We also broadcast the evening services, live, and pastors host CareForce live from the venue as well. This year (2025) Nome hosted three large basketball tournaments and we gathered a team of people to call the games as one person can soon lose their voice during a tournament. That group has included two high school students, a college student, a pastor, a Conference Superintendent, two seasoned KICY announcers, and even yours truly. I am grateful that several have chosen to step out of their comfort zone and give announcing a try. We are all learning!
Volunteers are the heart and soul of this ministry and I am so blessed by our staff. They are hardworking, dedicated folks who love to share the Good News of Jesus through the radio. Cody Foret continues to host the Coffee Crew (FM) and work his audio editing magic on advertising spots and public service announcements. He is willing to do just about anything, and has developed an on air personality that is fun to listen to. He and his wife Joy, who is a Special Education teacher currently working as a paraprofessional, have two sons Quincy will be 3 in May, and Rhidian was born in early February, 2025. Joy is not returning to school the rest of the year so Cody has taken on a night job doing custodial work at the school. He is making the schedule work, and his morning show is the end of his day. Cody is finishing his fifth year at KICY and we hope the family will be staying for another. Stuart Joseph was with us until late June, when his year commitment ended. He hosted the Breakfast Club (AM) and did some updating of our Native music library. Since Stuart’s departure, I have taken on the hosting duties for the Breakfast Club. Nate Hobbs has done so much to upgrade and maintain all things technical as our IT specialist. He continues to work closely with Steve Smit and has been invaluable in maintaining our ever-more-dependent-on-technology equipment. He and his wife, Carlee, often host Wednesday mornings on the Breakfast Club, he is available to fill in for others when they are gone, and covers CareForce about once a month. George Bard covers the evening shift on the FM station daily, fulfils the on air duties one weekend a month and assists with basketball coverage as needed. We have several part-time volunteers who cover specific aspects of the ministry on a daily or weekly basis. Bertha Koweluk and Lena Mathlaw share hosting responsibilities for SingSpiration, each taking every other week. Tamara Van Diest processes donations and David Sobie has taken on hosting the Classical Choral program that airs Sunday mornings in the AM station. Pierce and Shaina Goslin cover one weekend a month and help with basketball. I am still looking for one or two more full time volunteers. An on-site engineer would also be nice but is no longer the norm for radio. God will provide.
In May, 2024, Luda Kinok stepped down as Russian Language Programmer after 20 years of service to KICY. The programming continues, it just doesn’t have a personal voice associated with it anymore. This summer, Scott and Oksana Sobie relocated to Nome for at least a year. Scott is Carlee Hobbs’ brother and a pastor in Ukraine. They fled their home in the first few months of the war but continued to minister to refugees in Zaporizhia for nearly two years before they came to the US for their son’s wedding, and stayed. Much of our Russian programming has been on the air for many years. Oksana has begun listening to the programming to let me know what is still relevant and what might need updating. This is a process Luda had begun, but had not completed prior to her departure. We have a standing offer from Christian Radio for Russia (Dan Johnson) to use any of their programming we would like, so Oksana has been listening to some of that as well. She recorded several poetry selections, which we have begun airing and she is also on the lookout for more Russian Christian music. She needs to work full time for now, so cannot come on board with KICY, but I am grateful for her desire to help out as her time allows.
The big news for 2025 is our Studio Revitalization Project. Plans have been approved, the funds are miraculously on hand, and we plan to break ground in June on Phase 1 of this project. We will be building a staff triplex on the property behind the KICY Yellow House that we were able to purchase several years ago. We have six churches and several individuals already signed up to come do the work. That will replace the housing that is currently in the studio building. Once that is complete, Phase 2 will remodel the studio itself to be more energy efficient and better accommodate our broadcast needs moving forward. The money is not yet on hand for Phase 2, but through appeals and grants I know God will provide what we need when we need it.
It is indeed a joy to serve the Lord and the people of Western Alaska and the Russian Far East at KICY. Our equipment is in good working order, our volunteer staff a blessing, and we are financially stable. God continues to blow my socks off with His blessing and provision. It is an exciting time at KICY, and a blessing to be a part of what God is doing through this little radio station with the big signal at the edge of the world.
Patty Burchell, General Manager, KICY
03/20/25
Special Commission – AC Financial Alignment and Sustainability (FAS) Final Report
December 2024
Please find in the following the final report of The Special Commission. This work is the result of 5 formal meetings and several interactions with Alaska Conference (AC) staff and the Commission Chair to develop details and progress agreed actions.
The Commission recommends that the focus to align and sustain the work of the AC be in the following four areas: 1) Funding the Mission, 2) Stewarding the Mission, 3) Resourcing the Mission, and 4) Organizing the Mission. Several actions are recommended for investigation or implementation under each.
1. Funding the Mission
The primary focus is suggested to be in the first focus area: Funding the Mission. The work of the AC, properly understood, is in support of our member churches who are themselves not traditionally self-supporting and sustaining. Although the AC is organized as a conference in our denomination (The ECC), much of our work is still highly mission oriented as it was in the days when we were a mission office (both under the ECC’s “World Mission” and subsequently under “Home Mission”). While or organization and name have changed, our primary purpose has not. The funding our mission has a compelling story, much as is the case with each of the AC’s three affiliate corporations (Alaska Christian College (ACC), Arctic Broadcasting Association (ABA, the owner of KICY Radio Station), and Covenant Youth of Alaska (CYAK)). However, “conference” carries more of an “overhead” connotation than our three affiliates do, even though they too require “overhead” to effectively do their work. They have found it necessary to mature and grow their fundraising efforts over the years, and the AC, faced with similar challenges, should increase its efforts to likewise mature and grow in its fundraising discipline.
Specific recommendations include the following items, some of which have already been started by AC staff.
A. Consider Ways to Energize AC Fundraising - This includes creating materials to more directly and missionally speak to the work for the conference and its churches, plus creating tools to make giving easier. Regular communications and the website should make
giving opportunities more visible. Sharing donor lists with other Alaska ADiliate Corporations under the AC would also be suggested, both to leverage and to avoid “fishing in some of the same spots” where applicable. Making clearer and better use of the Village Pastors Fund, the special annual oDering for the Wilson and Minnie Gonongnan fund, and possibly creating a village church fund of some sort could also be considered.
B. Consider ways to Expand Denominational Support - The $125,000 monthly support from the ECC has not changed since 2015, despite inflation and other factors. It is strongly recommended that the AC consider asking for additional funds, and potentially setting up an automatic annual adjustment (e.g., like pastor salary COLA’s). Ask ECC for $25,000 now and more and/or COLA later. Other thoughts are to more formally partner with other conferences to support the mission in AK, helping to partner churches with churches, and tapping into support from the denomination’s Advancement Team.
C. Consider Returning to a Model of Customized Village Church Support - Prior to Alaska becoming a conference, support of village churches was more needs-based rather than an identical contribution to each church unable to support their own pastors. It may be time to return to such a model. To do so requires better understanding of each situation. The AC should endeavor to gather information from each member church on its resources, needs, financial management, and capabilities. The information could also be used to help support churches in training and tools to better steward their own mission and ministry.
D. Investigate Funding from Grant-Writing - The AC did investigate several grant possibilities (e.g., Rasmussen, Murdock) focused on capacity building, but the Conference appears to be ineligible.
2. Stewarding the Mission
In contrast to the relatively large potential to better fund the mission, opportunities to better steward the mission through cost reductions would appear to be much more limited. That is not to say that more efficient use of funds are not possible, but aside from staff cuts (or more use of part-time, bi-vocational, or volunteer labor), most other possible cost savings would either compromise the mission (reducing support for rural churches unable to sustain their own work) or nominal (efficiency gains on certain items rather than eliminating them entirely).
Nonetheless, the Commission recommends consideration of the following:
- Review expenses, aside from staD, to determine if there are eDiciencies that may be gained without sacrificing mission.
- Consider establishing thresholds at which actions should be taken to prevent drawing down reserves to a point at which emergency measures would be required.
3. Resourcing the Mission
In the area of resourcing the mission, the Commission did briefly explore and would like to express its support for developing alternative pathways for credentialing indigenous pastors who are gifted and called to serve in Alaska, especially in the village context. We
understand that the AC has put together a proposal for Certified Lay Pastors and are strongly in support of that effort. Hopefully, the appropriate balance between gifting/skills and education will enable a new generation of Alaska Native pastors to be equipped and credentialed. Alaska Christian College may also have a role in this effort.
4. Organizing the Mission
With Brian Nanninga’s departure, a bit of the immediate financial stress has been alleviated. However, if the mission was previously “right sized, but underfunded” as was the advice the Commission received at the outset of its work, logically it must now be under-resourced.
The commission strongly recommends that the AC consider options to backfill Brian, albeit at possibly lower cost if practical. This could include more use of lower paid staff, use of volunteer or retired persons suitable for the work, or a full-time hire of another pastor possibly using the former mission-support fundraising model. The needs obviously are beyond the scope of this commission, but we trust the AC will be soon considering the type of support needed to achieve its mission and strategic plans.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the Commission would like to express its appreciation for the foresight of the Alaska Conference Executive Board in seeking to address the gap between funding and resources for the mission and the stewardship and requirements of the mission prior to the issue reaching a critical stage. The best decisions are normally made with the benefit of time and planning rather than during a crisis or when few other options remain. The report and recommendations will hopefully serve to enable the Executive Board and Conference staff to systematically evaluate and implement steps needed to financially align and sustain the important work of the AC and the ECC in Alaska for years to come as the Lord may lead.
SC Members: Randy Hoffbeck, Sean Hoffbeck, Curtis Ivanoff, Curt Lindner, Ben Schoffmann (Chair), Brian Nanninga
Alaska Conference of the ECC
Final Financial Dashboard
FY25-26 Proposed Budget - Alaska Conference
Constitution and Bylaws of the Alaska Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church
Constitution
Adopted March 27, 2015
Preamble
The Evangelical Covenant Church is a communion of congregations gathered by God, united in Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to obey the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. It affirms its companionship in faith with other church bodies and all those who fear God and keep God’s commandments.
The Evangelical Covenant Church adheres to the affirmations of the Protestant Reformation regarding the Bible. It confesses that the Holy Scripture, the Old and the New Testament, is the Word of God and the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct. It affirms the historic confessions of the Christian Church, particularly the Apostles’ Creed, while emphasizing the sovereignty of the Word of God over all creedal interpretations.
In continuity with the renewal movements of historic Pietism, the Evangelical Covenant Church especially cherishes the dual emphasis on new birth and new life in Christ, believing that personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is the foundation for our mission of evangelism and Christian nurture. Our common experience of God’s grace and love in Jesus Christ continues to sustain the Evangelical Covenant Church as an interdependent body of believers that recognizes but transcends our theological differences.
The Evangelical Covenant Church celebrates two divinely ordained sacraments, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Recognizing the reality of freedom in Christ, and in conscious dependence on the work of the Holy Spirit, we practice both the baptism of infants and believer baptism. The Evangelical Covenant Church embraces this freedom in Christ as a gift that preserves personal conviction and the mutual responsibilities and disciplines of the spiritual community, yet guards against an individualism that disregards the centrality of the Word of God.
The Evangelical Covenant Church has its roots in historical Christianity, the Protestant Reformation, the biblical instruction of the Lutheran Church of Sweden, and the great spiritual awakenings of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. These influences, together with more recent North American renewal movements, continue to shape its development and distinctive spirit. The Evangelical Covenant Church is committed to reaching across boundaries of race, ethnicity, culture, gender, age, and status in the cultivation of communities of life and service.
Introduction
The Alaska Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church, in order to accomplish its mission and purposes, has formulated and adopted this Constitution and Bylaws. The Constitution recognizes that the highest constituted authority of the Alaska Conference is the convention of delegates known as the Annual Meeting, which alone can adopt and amend the Constitution and Bylaws. The Alaska Conference shall be governed by this Constitution and Bylaws, its Articles of Incorporation, and all applicable laws.
ARTICLE I Name
The name of this organization shall be the Alaska Conference (AC) of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC). Hereinafter, the Alaska Conference may be called the Conference and the Evangelical Covenant Church be called the ECC.
ARTICLE II Confession
The Conference confesses that the Holy Scripture, the Old and the New Testament, is the Word of God and the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct.
ARTICLE III Establishment and Purpose
Section 3.1. The Conference is a mission region of the ECC. As such, it is a separately incorporated association of ECC congregations, recognized as provided in the bylaws of the ECC.
Section 3.2. As a mission region, the Conference exists to serve its local churches and to minister on their behalf to better make known the good news of saving faith in Jesus Christ, to encourage a Christ like life among its members, and to carry out Christ’s redeeming work of love, mercy, and justice in the world.
Section 3.3. The Conference is incorporated in the state of Alaska as a not-for-profit organization. The delegates to the Annual Meeting are the corporate members of the Conference.
ARTICLE IV Territory
Section 4.1. The boundaries of the Conference shall be determined by the ECC Annual Meeting, upon the recommendation of the Executive Board of the ECC after consultation with the Conference.
Section 4.2. The territory assigned to the Conference comprises the state of Alaska
Article V Membership
Section 5.1. The Conference is composed of Christian congregations united in faith and service.
Section 5.2. Membership is open to evangelical Christian congregations that are in accord with the Preamble and Confession of the ECC, and that meet the requirements stated in the ECC Constitution and Bylaws, which are repeated in this Constitution and Bylaws. A congregation seeking membership shall follow the procedure determined by the ECC Executive Board, which is repeated in these Bylaws.
Section 5.3. Membership is granted dually in both the Conference and the ECC. A congregation cannot be a member of one without being a member of the other.
Section 5.4. Member congregations pledge mutually to support the principles, policies, programs of the Conference and the ECC. This includes regular financial support of the Conference and the ECC. The Constitution and Bylaws of member congregations shall be in general agreement with the principles of the ECC Preamble, Constitution, and Bylaws. Member congregations have freedom in the management of local matters.
Section 5.5. Member congregations that through decision or practice are out of harmony with the principles, policies, programs, or institutions of the ECC may be dismissed from the ECC and Conference, according to the procedures stated in the Bylaws.
Section 5.6. A congregation seeking to sever its affiliation with the ECC and Conference shall follow the procedures stated in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE VI Officers
Section 6.1. One of the officers of the Conference shall be a Superintendent. Other officers shall be a chair, vice-chair, treasurer, and secretary, and Associate Superintendent(s), if there are any Associate
Superintendent(s), who shall also serve in those capacities on the Executive Board. The Bylaws may provide for assistant officers.
Section 6.2. Officers shall be selected according to the procedures stated in the Bylaws.
Section 6.3. Officers shall have duties and responsibilities provided in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE VII Annual Meeting
Section 7.1. A convention of delegates, known as the Annual Meeting, shall be the highest constituted authority in the Conference.
Section 7.2. There shall be one regular session of the Annual Meeting each year, the date of which shall be prior to the ECC Annual Meeting as determined by the Executive Board.
Section 7.3. As the highest deliberative and decision-making body of the Conference, the Annual Meeting shall approve the admission and dismissal of congregations, elect or call persons to leadership positions as provided in the Bylaws, approve the budget of the Conference, receive and approve reports, amend the Constitution and Bylaws, conduct other such business as may properly come before it, and make decisions necessary to the mutual work of the Conference, affiliated institutions, and the ECC, as provided in the Bylaws.
Section 7.4. Each Conference congregation is entitled to two delegates plus a pastoral delegate. A pastoral delegate can be any one of the pastoral staff persons (paid or unpaid) for a congregation. If a congregation is not able to send a pastoral delegate, they may not send a layperson in place of a pastoral delegate. The Conference Superintendent, Associate Superintendent(s) and elected members of the Executive Board shall be ex officio delegates. The Bylaws may provide for additional delegates and advisors. Each delegate shall serve for a term that expires at the convening of the next Annual Meeting as provided in the Bylaws. Each delegate shall be a corporate member of the Conference for the duration of that delegate’s term.
Section 7.5. Special sessions of the Annual Meeting may be called by the Executive Board, by the Superintendent with the concurrence of the Executive Board, or by a majority of the current delegates. At least thirty days before the date of each special meeting, the secretary of the Conference shall send a notice to each current delegate, stating the time, place, and purpose of the meeting.
Section 7.6. A majority of delegates registered and certified in accordance with the Bylaws shall constitute a quorum for any regular or special session of an Annual Meeting.
ARTICLE VIII
Executive Board
Section 8.1. The Executive Board shall be the agent of the Annual Meeting in making decisions for, and otherwise acting on behalf of, the Conference when the Annual Meeting is not in session. This agency does not include powers reserved exclusively to the Annual Meeting by the constitution and bylaws or by decision of the Annual Meeting. The Executive Board shall be responsible to the Annual Meeting for its decisions and actions. The Executive Board shall function as the board of directors for the corporation as defined under AS 10.20.081 of the Alaska Statutes.
Section 8.2. The Executive Board shall be responsible for ensuring that all matters required to be brought to the Annual Meeting under this Constitution and Bylaws are in fact brought to the Annual Meeting.
Section 8.3. The Executive Board shall have the authority and responsibility for ensuring that the policies, procedures, and actions of the Conference comply with this Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 8.4. The Executive Board shall have the authority and responsibility for ensuring that the officers and staff of the Conference comply with this Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 8.5. The Annual Meeting shall elect members of the Executive Board as provided in the Bylaws.
Section 8.6. The Superintendent shall be an ex officio member of the Executive Board. The Bylaws may provide for additional ex officio members, as well as for advisors. By definition ex officio members of the board are “by reason of their office” full members of the Executive board with all the rights and privileges of elected members, including voting on all matters before the Executive Board. Advisor members only advise the board and have no right to vote, but may participate in discussions on any matter before the board unless prohibited to do so by either board action or ruling of the Chair.
Section 8.7. The Executive Board may establish committees and otherwise organize itself for the accomplishment of its assignments.
Section 8.8. Additional responsibilities for the Executive Board shall be delineated in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE IX Ministries
The Conference shall have ministries to be responsible for specific missions and purposes of the Conference. These shall be in cooperation with each other, the congregations, the ECC, and affiliated corporations and institutions. Conference ministries shall be recognized and organized according to provisions identified in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE X The Superintendent
The Superintendent shall be the pastor and chief executive officer of the conference and its mission, with responsibilities delineated in the Bylaws. The Superintendent, or their appointee, shall be an ex officio member of the Executive Board and all other administrative entities aligned with the Conference. The Superintendent shall be elected according to provisions in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE XI Corporations and Institutions
Section 11.1. The Conference may establish corporations and institutions to be responsible for specific missions and purposes of the Conference, in cooperation with each other, the congregations, and the ECC.
Section 11.2. Each corporation and institution established by the Conference shall be identified in the Bylaws.
Section 11.3. Each corporation and institution established by the Conference shall have officers and boards of directors as required by law and provided in the Bylaws. The Superintendent shall be an ex officio member of the Board of Directors of each corporation and institution established by the Conference.
ARTICLE XII Asset Resolution and Distribution of Assets
Section 12.1. In case of schism within the Conference, all property and other assets belonging to the Conference shall belong to the group that upholds and adheres to this Constitution and Bylaws as determined by the ECC Executive Board.
Section 12.2. Should the Conference be dissolved, all right, title, and interest to property, real, personal, tangible, and intangible, and all other assets shall pass to the ECC.
Section 12.3. A member church, ministry or affiliated corporation that withdraws or is dismissed from this Conference and the ECC shall be subject to immediate payment of all loans, grants, or property received from the Conference and the ECC. The church shall also forfeit all rights to Conference and ECC property.
ARTICLE XIII Amendments
Section 13.1. Proposed amendments to this constitution shall be introduced in writing at an Annual Meeting,
but may not be acted upon until the next Annual Meeting, and for adoption must receive the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all the accredited delegates present and voting at the Annual Meeting.
Section 13.2. Proposed amendments to this Constitution and Bylaws shall be in harmony with the ECC Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 13.3. The secretary shall have proposed amendments published in an official publication of the Conference and shall transmit them in writing to each source of delegates at least thirty days prior to the Annual Meeting, at which final action is to be taken.
Bylaws
ARTICLE I Membership
Section 1.1. Admission to Membership. A congregation seeking membership in the Conference shall apply for membership in the Conference and the ECC concurrently. The application shall be made at least one month prior to the Annual Meeting of the Conference on a form provided by the ECC. In order for the applying congregation to become a member of the Conference and the ECC, the membership application must be approved by the Conference Executive Board, the Conference Annual Meeting, the Executive Board of the ECC, and the Annual Meeting of the ECC, in that order. Upon approval by the Annual Meeting of the ECC, the congregation shall simultaneously become a member of the ECC and of the Conference. The Conference and the ECC shall maintain a roster of member congregations.
Section 1.2. Involuntary Dismissal from Membership.
a. Charges that a congregation is out of harmony with the ECC shall be presented to the Conference Executive Board, which shall immediately inform the Executive Board of the ECC and the President of the ECC of the charges.
i. If the Conference Executive Board finds the charges to be credible, the Conference Executive Board shall seek to guide the congregation into harmony with the ECC. The Conference Executive Board shall then make a report and recommendation to the Executive Board of the ECC and the President of the ECC.
ii. The Executive Board of the ECC shall independently consider the credibility of the charges based on all the information and recommendations available to it. The Executive Board of the ECC may then, at its initiative and in communication with the Conference, seek to guide the congregation into harmony with the ECC. If the Executive Board of the ECC determines that the congregation is and remains out of harmony with the ECC, the Executive Board of the ECC shall make a report and recommendation to the Annual Meeting of the ECC.
iii. The Annual Meeting of the ECC shall vote on the recommendation of the ECC Executive Board.
iv. If a congregation is dismissed from membership in the ECC by action of the Annual Meeting of the ECC, its membership in the Conference shall also be terminated.
b. In all cases, congregations shall have opportunity to defend themselves before the Conference Executive Board, the Executive Board of the ECC, and the Annual Meeting of the ECC.
Section 1.3 Voluntary Dismissal from Membership.
a. A congregation seeking to terminate its membership in the ECC shall signify its intention, in writing, to the Conference Executive Board at least one month prior to the Conference Annual Meeting. Action on such a request shall take place in the following sequence:
i. the Conference Superintendent shall notify the president of the ECC and the Executive Board of the ECC of the intention of the congregation to terminate its membership;
ii. the Conference Executive Board shall make a report and recommendation to the Annual Meeting of the Conference regarding the request of the congregation to terminate its membership;
iii. the Conference Annual Meeting shall make a report and recommendation to the Executive Board of the ECC regarding the request of the congregation to terminate its membership;
iv. the Executive Board of the ECC shall make a report and recommendation to the Annual Meeting of the ECC regarding the request of the congregation to terminate its membership; and
v. the Annual Meeting of the ECC shall vote on the recommendation of the Executive Board of the ECC. If the Annual Meeting of the ECC decides to terminate the membership of the congregation, the congregation’s membership in the ECC and in the regional Conference shall be terminated.
Section 1.4. Disbanded Congregations. Recommendations regarding the removal from membership of congregations that have disbanded shall come to the Annual Meeting of the ECC from the Executive Board of the ECC upon prior recommendation of the Conference Executive Board and the Conference Annual Meeting.
Section 1.5. Use of the Conference and ECC name and logo. When a congregation is no longer a member of the ECC, it shall cease all use of and reference to the name “The Evangelical Covenant Church,” shall cease all use of the logo of the Conference and ECC, and shall not represent itself as being a member of the Conference or ECC.
ARTICLE II The Annual Meeting
Section 2.1. The Executive Board shall designate the time and place of each Annual Meeting, which shall be held prior to the ECC Annual Meeting.
Section 2.2. Delegates.
a. Member congregations shall be entitled to two delegates plus a pastoral delegate. A pastoral delegate can be any one of the pastoral staff persons (paid or unpaid) for a congregation. If a congregation is not able to send a pastoral delegate, they may not send a layperson in place of a pastoral delegate.
b. The Superintendent, Associate Superintendent(s) or directors, and members of the Executive Board shall be ex officio delegates.
c. Each standing commission shall be entitled to one delegate.
d. Each association recognized by the Conference shall be entitled to one delegate.
e. Each affiliated corporation and institution shall be entitled to one delegate.
f. Each delegate to an Annual Meeting shall be a member of an ECC congregation. Delegates representing local congregations shall be members of the congregation they represent. No delegate may represent more than one entity, except a member in good standing of the Ministerial Association serving two or more congregations may represent those churches being served, yet with only one vote. A member in good standing of the Ministerial Association who is serving as an interim pastor in a member congregation may serve as a delegate from that congregation without being a member of that congregation.
g. The names of all delegates and alternate delegates shall be registered with the secretary prior to the Annual Meeting
h. A church plant within the Conference that is not yet a member congregation may send two advisors and their pastor to the Annual Meeting.
i. A member in good standing of the Ministerial Association who is not a delegate may be an advisor to the Annual Meeting.
j. With the consent of the Executive Board, a congregation that cooperates with and supports the ECC but is not a member of the ECC for a reason approved by the Executive Board may send one advisor to the Annual Meeting.
k. The Annual Meeting may recognize honorary delegates. Honorary delegates shall be advisors to the Annual Meeting.
Section 2.3. Registration, Certification and Term.
a. The Annual Meeting shall consist of the registered delegates whose credentials have been certified by the committee on credentials appointed by the Chair. When approved by the Annual Meeting, this list shall constitute the official roster of the Annual Meeting.
b. Certified delegates and alternates shall serve until the start of the next Annual Meeting.
Section 2.4. The Agenda and Standing Rules.
a. Agenda.
i. An agenda to be presented to the Annual Meeting shall be prepared by an agenda committee consisting of the chair, the vice chair, and the Superintendent. The agenda shall be approved by the Executive Board prior to distribution to the delegates.
ii. As the highest deliberative and decision-making body of the Conference, the Annual Meeting shall recommend to the ECC the admission and dismissal of congregations, elect or call persons to leadership positions as provided in these Bylaws, approve the budget of the Conference, receive and approve reports, and make other decisions necessary to the mutual work of the Conference, the ECC, and affiliated institutions and corporations, as provided in these Bylaws.
iii. Copies of the proposed agenda shall be available to delegates when they arrive at the Annual Meeting.
iv. Items of business that are not on the proposed agenda may be submitted in writing by a delegate to the moderator. If the item submitted is in order, a majority vote of the delegates present and voting shall be required to place that item on the agenda.
b. Standing Rules.
i. Standing rules shall be prepared by the agenda committee, approved by the Executive Board, and adopted by the Annual Meeting.
ii. Copies of the proposed standing rules shall be available to delegates when they arrive at the Annual Meeting.
iii. The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall instruct the proceedings, except where standing rules so direct.
ARTICLE III Officers
Section 3.1. The Superintendent.
a. Responsibilities. The Superintendent shall be the pastor and chief executive officer of the Conference, supervising and promoting its work in accordance with the decisions of the Annual Meeting, and under the direction of the Executive Board. In accomplishing such, the Superintendent shall provide particular leadership in the areas of mission, pastoral care, congregational support, executive operations, and coordination with the ministries and resources of the ECC. The Superintendent shall provide personnel supervision for all positions employed by the Conference. The Superintendent shall submit a written report to the Annual Meeting. The Superintendent may sign all necessary legal documents as required by law.
b. Administrative Assignments. The Superintendent shall be an ex officio member of the Executive Board except when the Executive Board is acting as the Nominating Committee for naming candidates for the office of Conference Superintendent, in which case the Superintendent shall not participate, and except when the Executive Board is performing a job appraisal for the
Superintendent, in which case the Board may meet in executive session apart from the Superintendent and other ex officio members and advisors. The Superintendent shall be an ex officio member of all boards, commissions, committees, institutions, and corporations of the Conference.
c. Nomination of Conference Superintendent. Candidates for Conference Superintendent shall be ordained ministers of the ECC in good standing. The Executive Board shall serve as the Search Committee. The Executive Board shall put forward one nominee after the concurrence of the Executive Board of the ECC. The President of the ECC shall serve as an advisor to the process for the selection of a nominee, with privilege of attendance and voice at all meetings.
d. Election. A two-thirds vote of the delegates present and voting shall be required for election. All voting shall be by written ballot. Should the candidate fail to receive the required vote, the position shall be filled temporarily under Section 3.1.l. of this article. A new nomination process for the fulltime position shall proceed according to Section 3.1.c of this article.
e. Installation. The Conference Superintendent shall be installed in office at an Annual Meeting of the ECC and assume office on a date determined by the Conference Executive Board.
f. Term and Tenure. The Superintendent shall serve for a term of 4 years. The Superintendent may be re-nominated for subsequent terms.
g. Suspension.
i. By vote of two-thirds of its elected members, the Executive Board may suspend the Superintendent. The Executive Board may lift the suspension by vote of two-thirds of its elected members.
ii. Causes for suspension include failure to perform duties, malfeasance, misfeasance, immorality, indiscretion, unethical behavior, doctrinal error, breach of a fiduciary duty owed to the Conference, breach of a duty of confidentiality owed to the Conference, or breach of a duty of loyalty owed to the Conference.
iii. Suspension may be with or without pay as the Executive Board may determine.
iv. After a suspension, the Executive Board may appoint a person to serve in the capacity of the suspended person on an interim basis.
v. If a person is still under suspension at the time of the second Annual Meeting following suspension, the Executive Board shall submit the matter to the Annual Meeting, which shall either remove the suspended person for cause by majority vote or reinstate the suspended person with or without back pay. The Executive Board may, in its discretion, submit the matter to the Annual Meeting at the first Annual Meeting following suspension.
h. Vacancies. The Executive Board shall declare the position of Superintendent vacant upon the removal, resignation, permanent incapacity, or death of the person holding that position.
i. Removal. The Superintendent can be removed only by majority vote of the Annual Meeting.
j. Resignation. The Superintendent may resign upon written notice to the Executive Board.
k. Permanent Incapacity. The Executive Board shall develop a policy for determining permanent incapacity.
l. Filling Vacancies. In the event of a vacancy in the position of Superintendent, the Executive Board shall appoint an acting Superintendent. The acting Superintendent shall perform all the duties of the Superintendent, and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the limitations of the Superintendent. The full-time position shall be filled in a reasonable and expeditious time period.
Section 3.2. Associate Superintendent(s). The Conference may have an Associate Superintendent(s). If the Conference has an Associate Superintendent(s), he or she shall be a pastor and officer of the Alaska Conference, supervising and promoting its work under the direction of the Executive Board, having the
following responsibilities and administrative assignments:
a. Responsibilities. Associate Superintendent(s) shall work with and be responsible to the Superintendent. In accomplishing such, the Associate Superintendent(s) shall provide particular leadership in areas designated by the Executive Board. The Associate Superintendent(s) shall submit a written report to the Annual Meeting.
b. Administrative Assignments. The Associate Superintendent(s) shall be an ex officio member of the Executive Board except when the Executive Board is acting as the Search Committee for naming candidates for the office of Conference Superintendent or Associate Superintendent(s), in which case the Associate Superintendent(s) shall not participate, and except when the Executive Board is performing a job appraisal for the Superintendent or Associate Superintendent(s), in which case the Board may meet in executive session apart from all the ex-officio members and advisors. The Associate Superintendent(s) shall fill the Superintendent’s role as an ex officio member of all boards, commission, committees, institutions, and corporations of the Conference when the Superintendent cannot be present. Upon death or incapacity of the Superintendent, the Executive Board shall designate an Associate Superintendent as acting Superintendent until a successor Superintendent is elected
c. Selection. Candidates for Associate Superintendent(s) shall be credentialed ministers of the ECC in good standing. The Executive Board shall serve as the Search Committee and shall take the final selection of any candidate.
Section 3.3. Chair. The Chair shall preside over all meetings of the Executive Board and sessions of the Annual Meeting, sign all necessary legal documents on behalf of the Conference, and provide that all measures adopted by the Executive Board or the Annual Meeting are properly executed.
Section 3.4 Vice Chair. The Vice Chair shall assist the Chair and serve as the Chair when the Chair is absent or unable to perform the duties of the Chair. The Vice Chair shall chair the Personnel Committee of the Executive Board.
Section 3.5. Secretary. The Secretary shall perform the duties of a corporate secretary. The secretary shall record and preserve minutes from each meeting of the Executive Board and Annual Meeting, sign all necessary legal documents as required by law, and attend to such correspondence as is necessary to carry out the decisions of the Annual Meeting and Executive Board.
Section 3.6. Treasurer. The treasurer shall perform the general duties of a corporate treasurer as the responsible financial officer of the Conference. The treasurer shall submit complete and accurate reports on Conference finances to the Executive Board and to the Annual Meeting. The Treasurer shall chair the Finance Committee of the Executive Board.
Section 3.7 The Executive Board may establish additional assistant positions to the offices of secretary and treasurer.
ARTICLE IV Executive Board
Section 4.1. Duties and Responsibilities of the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall function as the board of directors for the corporation as defined under AS 10.20.081 of the Alaska Statutes and shall coordinate and implement the common mission of the Conference as developed and articulated by the Annual Meeting, this Constitution and Bylaws, and the mission planning processes of the Conference and ECC. The Executive Board shall carry out its work with an integrity and character consistent with Christian principles. Within this authority and in the course of its duties, the Executive Board shall
a. be responsible for ensuring that the policies and decisions of the Annual Meeting are carried out;
b. approve an agenda for each session of the Annual Meeting and recommend it to the Annual Meeting;
c. approve a proposed annual budget for the Conference and recommend it to the Annual Meeting;
d. determine policies and procedures for the appointment and termination of Conference staff,
including establishment of salaries and other terms of employment of all employees of the Conference;
e. assign ex officio and advisor responsibilities for Conference staff on boards, commissions, and committees consistent with other provisions in the Bylaws;
f. delegate such responsibility for the administration of the Conference as may be required by the temporary absence or temporary incapacity of an officer or staff member of the Conference, unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws;
g. approve the fiscal policy of the Conference;
h. approve the acquisition, encumbrance, and disposition of the property and assets of the Conference;
i. promote coordination among the Conference, the ministries of the ECC, and the corporations and institutions of both;
j. approve the salaries of those in service to the Conference;
k. approve the salaries of the executive leader of any affiliated corporations or institutions;
l. adopt a policy concerning insurance coverage and risk management practices for the Conference;
m. establish Conference ministries;
n. recommend the establishment of commissions to the Annual Meeting when needed to accomplish Conference ministries;
o. be known as the Board of Directors or Trustees of the Conference when law or legal instruments require action by the Board of Directors or Trustees of the Conference;
p. comply with and be responsible for ensuring that the Conference complies with all applicable laws;
q. appoint members to fill unexpired terms on the Executive Board, commissions, and committees of the Conference;
r. organize among itself committees necessary to accomplish its task; and
s. perform other duties consistent with, and as set forth in these Bylaws.
Section 4.2 Composition, Selection and Term of the Executive Board.
a. Number and Composition.
i. The Executive Board shall have six (6) to nine (9) members elected by the Annual Meeting, determined by the Annual Meeting upon recommendation of the Executive Board.
ii. The composition shall be reflective of the constituencies of the Conference and shall have the following geographic representation, provided however that no congregation shall have more than two elected members:
a) Up to three (3) representatives from member congregations in the Y-K Delta; and
b) Up to three (3) representatives from member congregations in the Norton Sound; and
c) Up to three (3) representatives from member congregations in the road system.
iii. At least one third of the elected members of the Executive Board shall be lay. At least one third of the elected members of the Executive Board shall be clergy.
iv. The Superintendent and any Associate Superintendent(s) shall be an ex officio member of the Executive Board.
v. Each commission shall have one advisor to the Executive Board. The Executive Board may designate additional advisors from the Conference staff.
b. Term of Office. Each elected member of the Executive Board shall be elected for a term of three years. Each term shall begin immediately following the Annual Meeting at which the member was elected. Terms shall be staggered in such a way that no more than one-third of the Executive Board is elected in any given year, except in the event of the removal, resignation, permanent incapacity, or death of a member. An elected member of the Executive Board shall not be elected for more than two consecutive three-year terms.
Section 4.3. Officers of the Executive Board.
The Executive Board shall elect a chair, vice chair, secretary and treasurer from among its members. Each officer of the Executive Board shall be an elected member of the Executive Board. These officers shall also serve in the same capacity for the Annual Meeting.
Section 4.4. Meetings.
a. The Executive Board shall hold at least three regular meetings in each calendar year. Notice of each regular meeting shall be sent to each member of the Executive Board at least thirty days in advance.
b. The Executive Board may hold special meetings. A special meeting may be called upon the written approval of four elected members of the Executive Board, by the chair, or by the Superintendent. Notice of each special meeting shall be sent to each member of the Executive Board at least fourteen days in advance, except in emergencies.
c. A majority of the elected and ex-officio members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for any regular or special meeting of the Board or its committees.
d. At any meeting, the Executive Board may hold executive sessions from which any or all advisors may be excluded.
e. When the Executive Board is reviewing the performance or compensation of the Superintendent, the Executive Board shall exclude from its meeting all ex officio members and all advisors. The President of the ECC shall not be excluded.
Section 4.5. Liaisons from the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall appoint elected members of the Executive Board to serve as liaisons to and ex-officio members of the commissions of the Conference. Each commission shall have only one ex officio member from the Executive Board. A member of the Executive Board may serve as liaison to only one commission.
Section 4.6. Standing Administrative Committees. The Executive Board shall have the following standing administrative committees: Executive, Finance and Personnel. Each standing administrative committee shall have three members who are elected members of the Executive Board and up to two additional members appointed by the Executive Board.
a. Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall
i. be composed of the chair, vice chair, secretary, Superintendent and Associate Superintendent(s);
ii. develop and recommend agenda for the board meetings;
iii. make recommendations concerning policy and procedures for all Conference entities and;
iv. take any action delegated to it by the Executive Board that can legally be delegated to it.
b. Finance Committee. The Finance Committee shall
i. develop and recommend to the Executive Board policies concerning the financial governance of the Conference;
ii. make recommendations concerning financial matters for which the Executive Board is responsible; and
iii. take any actions delegated to it by the Executive Board that can legally be delegated to it.
c. Personnel Committee. The Personnel Committee shall
i. develop and recommend to the Executive Board policies concerning the employment,
performance, and compensation of officers and employees of the Conference;
ii. review and make recommendations concerning the performance and compensation of the superintendent and other executive staff of the Conference;
iii. review and make recommendations concerning the compensation of any other persons whose compensation is required to be approved by the Executive Board; and
iv. take any actions delegated to it by the Executive Board that can legally be delegated to it.
ARTICLE V Conference Ministries
Section 5.1. The Executive Board, as the agent of the Annual Meeting, may establish and govern particular ministries to accomplish the mission of the Conference.
Section 5.2. Standing Commissions.
a. The Executive Board, upon approval of the Annual Meeting, may establish standing commissions to coordinate and make recommendations on Conference ministries assigned to them. The Executive Board shall delineate the scope of the responsibilities for each commission.
b. Each commission shall consist of at least six members.
c. The Annual Meeting shall elect members to each commission for terms of three years, except as provided in the Bylaws. The Executive Board may appoint such ex officio members and advisors as may be appropriate. No elected member shall serve for more than two consecutive full terms.
d. Each commission shall establish working rules and submit them to the Executive Board for approval, meet at least once a year, submit recommendations to the Executive Board, present reports to the meetings of the Executive Board, and present a written report to Annual Meeting.
e. Each standing commission shall not exist for more than five years unless the Annual Meeting takes action to extend the life of a commission for another period not to exceed five years. A commission may be renewed an indefinite number of times. During the fifth year of a commission’s term, it shall have opportunity to present a rationale to the Executive Board for its continuance or dissolution, which shall then make recommendation to the Annual Meeting.
f. The list of standing commissions shall be kept current by the secretary and published annually.
Section 5.3. Special Commissions.
a. The Annual Meeting or the Executive Board may establish special commissions to coordinate, study, and make recommendations on matters assigned to them. A special commission shall be responsible to the body that established it.
b. Each special commission shall be limited to a specific period of time, but may be extended by the body that established it.
c. The members of a special commission shall be appointed by the Executive Board.
d. A list of the special commissions shall be kept current by the secretary and published annually.
Section 5.4. Permanent Commissions.
a. The Annual Meeting may establish permanent commissions. These shall be identified in this article of the Bylaws, including responsibilities, composition, selection and accountability.
b. Nominating Commission.
i. The Nominating Commission shall prepare the ballot for the Annual Meeting with at least one, but no more than two, nominees for each elected Executive Board position and each elected Commission position to be filled.
(a) One additional candidate may be nominated from the floor, for a maximum of three candidates per elected position. If more than one additional candidate is nominated from the
floor, a vote shall be held among those so nominated. The nominee with the plurality of votes shall stand on the ballot along with the Nominating Commission nominee.
(b) Voting shall be accomplished by written ballot. A majority vote shall be needed for election. In the event of more than two nominees where no majority is received, a runoff shall be held between the two candidates receiving the largest number of votes.
ii. The Nominating Commission shall make recommendations to the Executive Board for any appointed positions on boards or commissions to be filled.
iii. The Nominating Commission shall be appointed by the Executive Board. It shall consist of an Executive Board member as chair, two additional clergy members of the Conference, and two additional lay members of the Conference.
ARTICLE VI Institutions, Corporations, and Associations
Section 6.1. Institutions and Corporations. Upon recommendation of the Executive Board, the Annual Meeting may establish institutions and corporations to help accomplish the mission of the Conference. These Bylaws shall be amended to add and include the name, purpose, matters requiring Executive Board approval, and matters requiring Conference Annual Meeting approval, for each institution or corporation established.
a. Reserved Powers. The Executive Board shall serve as the Member of all affiliated corporations of the Conference. For the current affiliated corporations, the Conference shall have the following reserved powers, which may not be changed or amended by the affiliated corporations without the express approval of the Conference:
i. Arctic Broadcasting Association (ABA)
a) Appoint and remove directors;
b) Amend the Articles of Incorporation, Constitution and Bylaws;
c) Ratify the appointment of a General Manager and to consult with the General Manager and board of directors on the policies of the corporation.
d) In the event of a transfer of Membership, or sale or transfer of the Corporation to any non- Evangelical Covenant Church related entity, the Corporation, by twothirds vote of the Board of Directors, shall recommend such transfer or sale to the Member. Prior to making this recommendation, the Directors shall consult with the Member.
ii. Alaska Christian College (ACC)
a) Appoint and remove Trustees;
b) Amend the Articles of Incorporation, Constitution and Bylaws;
c) Ratify the appointment of President by the Board of Trustees of ACC, and to consult with the President and Trustees on the policies of the corporation.
d) In the event of a transfer of Membership, or sale or transfer of the Corporation to any non-Evangelical Covenant Church related entity, the Corporation, by twothirds vote of the Board of Trustees, shall recommend such transfer or sale to the Members. Prior to making this recommendation, the Trustees shall consult with the Members.
e) In the event the Members accept the recommendation of the Corporation, they shall recommend such affiliation to the Executive Board of the Evangelical Covenant Church. Prior to making such affiliation/transfer or sale, the Members shall obtain the approval of the Executive Board of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
iii. Covenant Youth of Alaska (CYAK)
a) Appoint and remove directors;
b) Amend the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws;
c) Ratify the appointment of an CYAK director and to consult with the CYAK director and directors on the policies of the corporation;
d) Approve the purchase or sale of property;
e) Approve the mortgaging, pledging or leasing of property;
f) Approve the incurring of liabilities or borrowing of money.
iv. Covenant Bible Camp (CBC)
a) Appoint and remove directors;
b) Amend the Articles of Incorporation, Constitution and Bylaws;
c) Ratify the appointment of an Executive Camp Director and to consult with the Executive Camp Director and directors on the policies of the corporation;
d) Approve the purchase or sale of property;
e) Approve the mortgaging, pledging or leasing of property;
f) Approve the incurring of liabilities or borrowing of money.
Section 6.2 Associations. Associations are self-governing groups of individuals, congregations, and ministries united for the purpose of fellowship, encouragement, and the advancement of a specific mission.
a. The following are Alaska Conference associations:
i. Covenant Ministerial Association of Alaska
ii. Covenant Women
b. A group seeking to be recognized as an official association by the Conference shall make a written request for approval by the Executive Board. The Executive Board may withdraw recognition of an association.
c. Associations shall operate under their respective Constitutions as approved by the Executive Board and shall be subject in their activities to its approval.
d. Each association shall submit such written reports to the Executive Board as may be required but not limited to, annual financial review, annual operating budget and plan, and interim financial statements and operating results. A copy of the minutes of all meetings and associations shall be filed with the Conference Superintendent.
e. Each association shall submit a written report to the annual meeting of the General Assembly.
ARTICLE VII Amendments
Section 7.1. Proposed amendments shall be in harmony with the ECC Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 7.2. Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed in the following ways.
a. A delegate may introduce a proposed amendment to these Bylaws in writing at an Annual Meeting. Such proposed amendments cannot be acted upon until the next Annual Meeting.
b. The Executive Board may propose an amendment to these Bylaws in writing at least 120 days prior to the Annual Meeting for action at that Annual Meeting. A delegate may forward a proposed amendment to the Executive Board prior to that time for Executive Board consideration.
Section 7.3 At least ninety days before the Annual Meeting when final action is to be taken on a proposed amendment to these Bylaws, the secretary shall send a copy of each proposed amendment to each congregation and shall cause the text of each proposed amendment to be published in an official print publication of the Conference and in any electronic media that the Conference regularly uses for communication with congregations and members of congregations.
Section 7.4 A proposed amendment shall be adopted upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the delegates present and voting at the Annual Meeting.
ARTICLE VIII Indemnification and Insurance
Section 8.1. As permitted or required by applicable law and as provided in these Bylaws, the Conference shall indemnify and provide liability insurance for any person acting as an officer, director, employee, or agent of the ECC or of any corporation or other entity established by the ECC. The Executive Board of the ECC shall adopt such policies and take such actions as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this article.
ARTICLE IX Fiscal Year
Section 9.1. The fiscal year shall be determined by the Annual Meeting upon recommendation of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE X Annual Financial Review
Section 10.1. The accounts of the Conference shall be reviewed annually by individuals appointed by the Executive Board.
NORTON SOUND CHURCH REPORTS
• ELIM COVENANT
• GOLOVIN COVENANT
• KOYUK COVENANT
• NOME COVENANT
• SHAKTOOLICK COVENANT
• UNALAKLEET COVENANT
• WHITE MOUNTAIN COVENANT
Elim Evangelical Covenant Church
P.O. Box 39110 Elim, Alaska 99739
In the first month of 2024, I consistently supported the church ministry by sharing the gospel every Sunday morning. Pastor Don from Koyuk requested me to officiate a memorial service in Koyuk, marking my first travel to another village.
From February 23–25, I had the privilege of speaking at a Get Together fellowship with the theme "On the Wings of Eagles," attended by churches from Golovin, White Mountain, and some participants from Koyuk. Additionally, I spoke at another Get Together event hosted by the Koyuk Covenant Church on March 29-31 alongside members from the Shaktoolik church.
On April 12–13, we participated in the Alaska Annual Conference in Shaktoolik, where we shared God’s goodness through music and led worship songs. When we returned to Elim, I officiated my first infant baptism. On April 27, we made the decision to move into the parsonage.
On May 5, I was officially installed as the Pastor of Elim Evangelical Covenant Church by Superintendent Pastor Curtis Ivanof.
June 16, we have a special joint celebration of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day program, where we offered prayers and distributed small gifts to honor parents.
Elim Covenant Church expressed great appreciation for the Water Day Event held on August 9, 2024, organized by Amiah and the Engineers group, which catered to the youth in our community.
Throughout the year, I conducted home visitations and prayers in several households.
Our first Youth Gathering service on September 27, 2024, with 18 attendees, alongside Ms. Fanny, Ms. Joy, Ms. Lovee, and my wife.
The evening service was resumed on October 20, 2024 and it continued until now.
The first prayer meeting, hosted at Sir Gary and Ms. Josie’s house on November 10, 2024.
Additionally, I volunteered to type church documents, including Church Minutes (2019–2024)
On December 14–15, we had a successful Gospel Trip to Shaktoolik, where we ministered through the Word and music.
We concluded the year with a Sunday School Christmas Program on the evening of December 25 and continued with evening services from December 26–31 to welcome the New Year.
I am grateful to the Lord for these great opportunities to serve and for His faithfulness throughout the year. To God be the Glory.
Golovin
Covenant Church
PO Box 62080
Golovin, Alaska 99762
March 24, 2025
Golovin is located between Elim and White Mountain in the Norton Sound Region, just a little southeast of Nome.
Presently our Church is with a Pastor, and we continue to pray for one. Vince Eben was our recent Pastor over the years here in Golovin. Other Pastors were Jerry Daniels, Brad Olsen, Larsen King, Fred Weston, Joshua Ahwinona and Chip Swanson
Our church continues to have weekly Sunday services and Sunday School service when we have staff or volunteers for that. Volunteers include locals including CraigWilloya, Donald Olson, Dawn Hellman, and Rey Mundo Our Church helps in sending youth to summer Bible Camp in Unalakleet. We thank Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation (NSEDC) for their support as well. Our Church and Parsonage has been hosting church volunteers from Texas Churches from mid-June to Mid-July each summer for the past few years. The community has received help in various ways including sharing God's word, housing repairs, fish rack repairs, sharing in church, youth activities, gardening and barber shop services.
Donny Olson has been haring Gods word during our Sunday services, while he is home in Golovin Also, our Martin L. Olson School principal Rey Mundo has participated in sharing Gods word as well. Donny and Willows children have been a real blessing by sharing in singing during our church services. Songs like BI BL E, Jesus Loves md, This Little Light of Mine, and Zaccheus was a wee Little Man.
With the passing of time, our leadership has continued to serve, and we are looking to move forward with focus in serving our community of Golovin, Alaska wit Gods word.
We appreciate and give thanks for the Alaska Conference for their Leadership and Care. Arriga, Alaska Christian College and Bible camps.
Thank you and God bless you abundantly.
Koyuk Covenant Church
2nd & Spruce St. Koyuk, AK 99753
We are going through our second year in our new church. The new building has given us new opportunities to minister to our community. Because the building is so new and heat e:icient, we are able to heat it through the winter. And because of this we can meet together more often. Our functions include Sunday School 10am, morning service 11am, choir practice 2pm and evening service 7pm. On Tuesdays our fellowship gathers at any open home that welcomes us for weekly prayer meeting. (This winter we have been able to meet at some homes that have not previously had a prayer meeting in their home). This time of prayer is preceded by songs and a principle from God’s Word, followed by prayer requests (which include our community and even regional situations). And is followed by some local tasty treats and fellowship (lots of laughter). Wednesday evening we have our Bible study at 7pm (we have been working our way through the New Testament). And on Thursday evening we have a ‘Living Free’ meeting that targets anyone in the community that wants to get free from addictions (we have had a steady attendance usually 4 to 5 attendees that have been faithful in the workbooks and attendance). It is wonderful to see the tears and joy of realizing that God is good and witness the healing that comes when the Truth is presented. There have been 5 commitments to Christ and a few recommitments. Our adult Sunday school has been a surprise with usually 10 to 12 showing up regular, and sometimes up to 15.
We have added 3 new board members. Bucky and Bim have taken a sabbatical break from the board and the Lord has provided a few new members to take up the substantial load they were carrying. John Morris and Martin Nanouk have come on as trustees to care for the church building and property, and Nina Nanouk is our new treasurer.
We are also very excited to be looking forward to a couple of weddings!
Nome, AK. 99762
(907)443-2565
nomecovenant@gmail.com www.nomecov.org
Rev. Michael Zabel, Lead Pastor
James Ventress, Youth Pastor
2024 has been a year full of growth and excitement. In February we started up an Awana ministry for the children and it has brought over 30 children to the church to learn about Jesus, memorize Scripture and have fun. A side benefit of this has been the volunteers who have made this happen. Over 20 people have been involved in one way or another. Awana is part of a three-strand strong approach to reaching children as CovKids happens on Sunday mornings and Good News Club on Friday afternoons. It’s a joy to see so many children in church! Older kids, i.e., the youth and young adults, are at Checkpoint Youth Center 3-4 times a week as James Ventress and his team of volunteers reach out to them and spend hours being available to eat, listen, share God’s Word and play together.
The church continues to have a strong ministry of hospitality as numerous missions teams use the church building as a base for ministry or a rest stop on their way to villages. We are thankful for the building that the Lord provided through Samaritan’s Purse and how it allows us to support so many as they serve the Lord. In August we had our annual Family Camp out at Salmon Lake. Since our speaker couldn’t make it, Pastors Mike & James and our youth intern, Linnea Shaw, jumped in to provide the messages. We even baptized 4 young people and watched Pastor Mike rebaptize himself when he lost his balance!
Two events in 2024 happened that will impact our future direction as a church. In September it was announced that Pastor Mike would be retiring in the summer of 2025. A Pastoral Search Committee was formed and has worked diligently to get the church’s profile out and are ready to interview candidates to be our next Lead Pastor. The other event was participating in a “Finding Your Why” workshop with Mary Hendrickson, Director of Mission Vitality for the Covenant, and Brian Nanninga. The Lord led the group to surprisingly unite together around a WHY statement for our church. It is: We engage with our neighbor so that we can serve our community in practical ways so that we all can experience the transforming love of Jesus. We are now exploring how to live out this WHY statement in our daily lives and in our church.
Our Leadership Team continues to lead the church in seeking the Lord and doing His work. This year they started working through the book – “Execute Your Vision – The Practical Art of Ministry Leadership.” The Team consisted of:
Nora Nagaruk – Chair
Anna Moore – Secretary
Nathan Hobbs
Tamara Van Diest
James Ventress – advisory
Aaron Cooper – Vice-Chair
Aaron Brown – Financial Officer
George Bard
Michael Zabel – ex-officio
Linnea Shaw – advisory (through Aug.)
We face many challenges in life (I write this less than a week after the Bering Air crash), yet together we find strength as a church through our loving and faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who is always with us.
In Christ’s Service, Pastor Mike
Shaktoolik Evangelical Covenant Church
PO Box 71080
Shaktoolik, Alaska 99771
Pastor James 907-304-1617
shaktoolikevangelicalcovenantc@gmail.com
Church Board Members
Betty L. Jackson
Harvey Sookiayak Sr
Nora Mae Paniptchuk
Gary Bekoalok
We praise the Lord for His provision, protection and grace as we have served Him another year.
We are thankful for the interim ministry of Clint and Aleigha Daniel following last annual meeting in Shaktoolik. Later that summer, Clint and Aleigha brought a team from their church, “Cornerstone” in Roanoke Alabama to serve our church in Shaktoolik. Clint and Aleigha stayed 8 weeks and much ministry was accomplished. During this summer ministry there were 8 confessions of faith made and 6 were baptized! Praise the Lord!
Summer of 2024 was the third summer for the team from Cornerstone Church to serve us. They plan to return this summer.
This team has done a lot of maintenance to improve our church building in Shaktoolik and we are grateful for all their sacrificial work.
In September our church received Pastor James Barefoot as our full-time pastor. James and Superintendent Curtis Ivanoff flew in on September 21 and Curtis installed James on Sunday September 22.
Pastor James has enjoyed his ministry of 6 months in Shaktoolik although he has had a lot of health issues slowing him down.
In October we enjoyed a 2 week visit from Matthew Knight of Cornerstone Church in Alabama. He came to assist Gary and Linda Bekoalok as well as the church and youth and blest us greatly!
We enjoyed a surprise visit from our Superintendent Curtis Ivanoff in November with a hand-picked team of encouragers and gifts of food!
We were blessed and are very grateful for Pastor Mike Alverts who came to serve the church and youth for a month. Mike came on November 15 and went home on December 16. Mike did youth ministry as well as some Sunday preaching.
We do not have a youth pastor so again we were blessed by Clint and Aleigha Daniel who arrived on February 15 and left Shaktoolik on March 10. They also did youth ministry and filled the pulpit occasionally. Pastor James was away for two weeks during this time.
We enjoyed the wonderful Get-Together hosted by Koyuk Covenant Church in January! Their hospitality was excellent and the services were so encouraging.
Shaktoolik Covenant will host the Easter Get-together this year on April 18-20.
Our board members are President/Treasurer, Rita Buck; Secretary Willa Ashenfleter; Member at Large, Rose Ann Titus.
2024-25 Annual Report
Our accomplishments over this last year have been encouraging to me. But then I have nothing to compare to.
1. Camp: We signed 20 kids up for camp with 18 going. Two kids made a decision for Jesus, possibly more.
2. June: We had a work team of 10 high school graduates who come from North Carolina for 2 full days. The first day they spent getting to know the village and hanging out with the kids, the second day they held a VBS with many kids and youth attending. Karl Ashenfelter led two boys to the Lord. My wood pile was extended, the lower floor of the house was painted and some cleaning in the church was done.
3. August: A friend of mine came from Wisconsin to visit and help with VBS. We had a week of VBS with 11 to 13 kids including 2 high schoolers, 1 middle schooler and the rest pre- camp age kids attending. They had lots of fun learning to play boomwackers.
4. Fall: Fall was back to “church as usual” after the summer break.
5. Christmas Program: School children of all ages participated with songs led by Dorothy Barr and Rita Buck, the choir lead by Bee Jay Gray singing several specials and leading the congregation in familiar Christmas Carols. The turnout was a full church.
6. January: Took a break while Pastor Bonnie was gone to see family and attend MidWinter Conference.
7. February: Back to “church as usual”.
As usual there are a few people who carry a huge load; those we want to acknowledge are:
Karl Ashenfelter, who is always ready with worship a song or more when he’s home. Rita Buck, who is always available and willing to help in any way needed. She wears many hats.
Our Board members are available for meetings when there are things that need to be decided.
Nick Gray, we would not be able to hold church if Nick wasn’t available and willing to make sure there is fuel in the tank to keep the church warm.
City of White Mountain, Davis Lincoln and Dan Harrelson who are instrumental in providing power to keep the doors open and for a grant to help get our campers to camp.
Thinking about the recent history of this church, the absence of a pastor for the last 10 years and thinking about the accomplishment of this past year I am reminded of a story I once heard about a young cowboy pastor. How he was told that cowboys can’t be Christians, they’re not allowed into the brotherhood of Christians simply because they are cowboys. How he gave up the life God had planned for him based on what one or two people said to him. But most of a ll I am reminded of what another man wisely told him. “One at a time”, in words that the cowboy pastor would understand, it takes 32 nails to shoe a horse, but they are nailed one at a time. The friend encouraged him to think about how many people he could reach out to one at a time with that one also reaching out to others. The number was astronomical. The cowboy pastor listened to his friend, followed his advice and changed the lives of thousands including the rodeo culture. I have to remind myself of a few things; 1) I’m here to reach out to that one who at the time is the one God wants me to minister to; 2) Just like that cowboy pastor had to give up some of the false ideas he had, I must change my way of thinking, way of doing and more importantly give up all of my expectations of myself and other. I must reach out to that one person God has planned for me to reach out to right now, minister to that person and teach them to minister to others themselves. In doing so the numbers will astronomically be reached, well beyond the village. This can and will happen by using all the tools the Lord has given us to use.
With that in mind, and following the advice of others, as I look to the future, I am doing just that, looking to the future. Our future is our children and youth. I want to adjust our fucus here in White Mountain to looking at the future and putting more
resources into our children and youth. My hope is to double the number of kids we sent to camp last year. I know that most if not all our kids had a very good time at camp. I believe with their help and encouragement we will be able to increase the number of kids we send to camp this year. I want to make sure that we have a good VBS week or two this summer. And through these two events and the help of others, (CYAK) I am hoping and praying that we can establish strong children and youth participation in church related activities, while growing our adult church attendance.
I would also like to get some small groups dedicated to overcoming life controlling issues started. There are so many to choose from, but my primary focus will be on addictions and extending from there to build our relationships with the Lord. Helaing the broken hearts, binding up wounds and setting the captive free was the ministry of Jesus. We are His hands and feet extended. We are responsible to follow in His footsteps.
Many of the elders reminisce about the choir they once had and want again. With the help of Bee Jay Gray I am hoping that the interest in the choir will be rejuvenated.
And the list goes on, the list of dreams for the community and the church, monthly potlucks, men and women’s Bible studies; weekly prayer gatherings to mention only a few things.
Submitted by:
Bonnie LaBore, Pastor
YUKON DELTA CHURCH REPORTS
• BETHEL COVENANT
• HOOPER BAY COVENANT
• MEKORYUK COVENANT
• MOUNTAIN VILLAGE COVENANT
• SCAMMON BAY COVENANT
PO Box 828
Bethel, AK 99559
907-545- 0828
office@bethelcovenant.org
Submitting to the delegation by Eddie Havener, Board Chair Church Board Members also include Martin Smith- Vice Chair, Phillip PerryTreasurer, Heather Stuart- Secretary, Kenan Marsan- Member at Large, also Walt Betz- Member at Large.
God’s Leading
Sunday Service is led by Interim Pastor Craig Nordstrom and is successfully broadcast via Facebook. We have Prayer Meeting every first and third Sunday lead by Heather Stuart and AWANA Clubs every Tuesday Aug.- April for kids K-8th grade. Woman’s Bible Study is lead by Church member Katie Marsan every Wednesday evening. Our Church leads and organizes Friday Night Supper Club in our fellowship hall, a program that four other churches help with, providing food for those in need, no questions asked.
We would like to extend our utmost appreciation to Pastor Craig Nordstrom for stepping in as Interim Pastor while we are actively searching for a permanent leader suited for our needs. Also, a big thank you to Heather Stuart for leading Prayer Meeting, Alyssa Perry for leading AWANA Clubs, Katie Marsan for leading Women’s Bible Study and Amanda West for taking charge over Friday Night Supper Club and all our Church Potlucks.
The Past Year
Over the course of this year, we have had eight baptisms and are in process of adding new members to our congregation. We have suffered the resignation of our Pastor, Adam London in August 2024 and have struggled financially since his departure but our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ remains strong and steadfast. Despite the loss of Pastor Adam and a hard financial hit we are happy with the success of the programs we serve and reach out to the public the way God instructs us to. To love God, love others, and make disciples. To preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To Serve as Christ’s hands and feet. And to be a light to the YK Delta. As always, we seek to lead others closer to Jesus.
Dear Fellow Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As many of you know, we had a very challenging Fall season in Hooper due to multiple tragic deaths of young women. It was a time of uncertainty and many people were living in fear, confusion, and hopelessness. In the midst of the pain and loss, it was good to see the church and the community come together to help one another through this difficult time. The hardest times often afford the greatest opportunities for God’s redemptive work to shine forth. There were many spiritual opportunities throughout this time, and we continue to pray that the horrible adversity that was experienced will bear fruit for Jesus in the years to come.
Three additional partners (members) joined the church this last year. We are excited about what God is doing and are thankful that more people want to be committed to the body of Christ. On a bittersweet note, two of the main, long-standing elders in our church passed away during this last year. They will be missed for their wisdom and leadership, but we are blessed to know that they are in their eternal home with the One they love. We are thankful that Pastor Jason has been able to come down from Scammon and help with a couple of funerals during times of need. Thank you Scammon Bay for sharing your pastoral resources with us.
Over the past couple of years, our church and youth ministry have begun to focus on how we can lower our expenses and become more financially stable. This past summer, through generous donors, our own savings, and some grants, we were able to significantly increase the insulation in some key areas of the church. We had the largest work team that we have ever had come to help with these upgrades. Many generous believers donated their time and finances to this project to support our local church. Praise the Lord that we are already seeing significant savings in our heating oil bill! We will save over $4000 just this year! We are so grateful for the practical support from the family of God near and far. In addition to saving on heating costs, we have decided to also tackle the increasing electric costs. Later in April, we will be installing a large group of solar panels to significantly offset our electricity costs going forward. God, again, abundantly provided for this large project through some unexpected income, some donations from individuals and partnering churches, and through government tax credits. We are excited to see the results of these efforts over the next many years and look forward to a more generous ministry budget because of the savings.
We continue to focus on our vision as a local church. We have narrowed down our vision to 4 areas that we are focusing on in the coming years. These areas are: church leadership, local vision, youth work, and discipleship. It is exciting to draw out road maps for future ministry, and begin to have dreams and aspirations as a church. There are several ways that we have already begun to put this vision into action.
One way that we are trying to tackle our vision and bolster our youth work is through additional youth ministry training. We were blessed to be able to benefit from some Sunday School training that was brought to our church in March. Buff Brink and Mike Alverts joined us for several days to help lead our youth workers through a series of training sessions. We had a good time of fellowship, learned some new things, and are excited to be moving in a positive direction. Another way that we are seeing progress made toward our vision is through church leadership development. At the beginning of this year, our church voted to have David Smart step into a church leadership role as an overseer. We appreciate David’s willingness to serve in this way and we are excited to see how God will develop his role of leadership. We are reminded often that God has exciting plans for those willing to submit themselves to Jesus.
We are grateful for what God is doing among us, but we are also asking God for more! For more revival in hearts; for more spiritual breakthroughs; for more laborers; for more grace and mercy; for more passion for the gospel; for more victories over substance abuse; for more men to step up and be spiritual leaders; for more of Jesus’s kingdom to come!! Thank you for partnering with us in the gospel and for all those who have prayed for our community over this last year. God only knows the impact of the prayers, but we believe they are powerful and effective, so we thank you. We are blessed to be a small part of the greater work that God is doing in Alaska.
Serving together,
Patrick McLean David Smart Jr.
Mekoryuk Covenant Church
Submitted to the delegation by Lauren Thurston, Pastor
Church board members: Edward I. Kiokun, Samson Weston, Lydia Weston, Dorothy Kiokun, Melanie Shavings, Daniel Olrun Jr, and Albert Williams
2024 was a historic year for Mekoryuk Covenant Church as we saw the building and dedication of our third church building. This was truly the highlight of our year, and we are deeply grateful for a building that stays warm in the winter, is easily accessible to our elders, and is safe for worship.
The work on this project began with establishing ministry partnership with Samaritan’s Purse through Alaska Conference and Covenant Youth of Alaska connections in 2023. The new year brought site visits from Samaritan’s Purse staff, selecting floor plans, and ensuring preparations in the village were complete. Samaritan’s Purse staff arrived in May of 2024, and volunteer teams joined weekly from June through October. The generous welcome Mekoryuk extended to Samaritan’s Purse cannot be overstated- from gifts of fish, meat and berries to weekly maqii sessions, the village of Mekoryuk embodied hospitality. I could not be more proud to pastor such a generous and giving people. They lived out Jesus’ command to love one another as He has loved us. We celebrated the dedication of our new building on Sunday, October 6, 2024 with two planes full of Covenant and Samaritan’s Purse friends.
I extend a special thank you to Edward Kiokun, the chair of our board and the coordinator of the Church Build for Mekoryuk Covenant Church. Ed brought expertise and professionalism into this role and faithfully gave his time and talent to ensure Samaritan’s Purse was able to function effectively. I extend our gratitude to Peter Hawkins, Principal of Nuniwarmiut School, and Lower Kuskokwim School District for housing Samaritan’s Purse in the school through the summer. I thank the team that came out from Bethel Covenant Church to contribute to this build in June- what a beautiful offering of service from our local Covenant family. Finally, I express our deep gratitude to staff and volunteers from Samaritan’s Purse who truly built us a church for the next 100 years- we can never repay you, and we praise God for your service to our community as our brothers and sisters in Christ.
While the church build was certainly our highlight, I praise God for everything He has done outside of this monumental occasion as well. For our youth: we faithfully welcomed children in our community for Sunday school throughout the year. We sent nineteen students and three volunteers to Covenant Bible Camp this summer. We welcomed a Covenant Youth of Alaska team in November to lead a retreat on our worth in Christ for all of our 25 6th-12th graders. We hosted a faith-based basketball camp for kids of all ages. We held weekly youth groups. For our community we held two funerals, one in the new building. We celebrated holidays and rejoiced in the good news of Christ together. We met for Men’s and Women’s Bible study fellowship and regular Sunday morning services.
Without the faithful service of our church leadership, none of this would have been possible. I praise God for our board as listed above; our Sunday School Superintendent Beatrice Kiokun, Assistant Superintendent Marianne Williams, and Sunday School Teachers Dorothy Kiokun, Melanie Shavings, Xenia Sergie, Carol Peterson, Daniel Olrun Jr, Marianne Williams, and Beatrice Kiokun; our facilities manager George Williams; our Women’s Bible Study leader Aurélie Hawkins and Men’s Bible Study leaders Edward Kiokun, Peter Hawkins, and Devin Thurston; and my co-youth group leader Devin Thurston.
MOUNTIAN VILLAGE EVANGELICAL COVENANT CHURCH
There is one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism (Ephesians 4:5G)
First Missionary Jack and Ruth Koutchak host the area pastors in Mountain Village, 1980?
Interim Pastor, Chip Swanson, Last Chairman: Lloyd Alexie, Secretary: Esther Brown
Grace to you and Peace, from God our Father and His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit! Interim.
Quite a subject! Very often the case in much of western Alaska. Bless the Faithful, who so often, have to “go it alone”. We know our Lord will never leave us or forsake us as our Great Shepherd of the Sheep, but as a child once said, ‘I want a shepherd with skin on!”
Bless those who through the years have ministered here and those dear ones who have supported them! Perhaps more importantly each other! A s we write we have an annual meeting planned for March 9. We have 5 people who are willing to be on the ballot. Delegates will be determined at that time.
The Lord said he will build His Church. It sure is happening! Sometimes we don’t even know it is happening.
Honored to Serve and Blest because of it! Pastor Chip Swanson.
Scammon Bay Covenant Church Report for the 2025 Annual Meeting
PO Box 109 Scammon Bay AK 99662 / 907-558-6145
Submitted by Pastor Jason Stromstad on behalf of the Scammon Bay Covenant Church.
We are thankful for the leadership of church board members John Uttereyuk, Darlene Ulak, Byron Ulak, Jacob Rivers, and George Smith.
Greetings brothers and sisters from the Scammon Bay Covenant Church. This past year has been one of celebration and a time of sorrow. We celebrated three weddings in our church this past year; Pastor Jason did the pre-marital counseling while John Uttereyuk officiated two weddings and Pastor Jason officiated one.
Pastor Jason was asked to officiate the funeral for Paul Nakusuk in Hooper Bay and we had a Celebration of Paul’s Life in the Hooper Bay Covenant Church on September 21, 2024. This past year has been a time of heartache as many in our village have experienced loss of loved ones in nearby villages. We are looking to the Lord for comfort as we trust in the Lord’s ability to walk with us through our times of grief. Prayer and fellowship together is an important part of our healing.
Our church continues to rejoice in God’s provision of Youth Pastor Drew Williams and Holly Williams who minister to our Senior High and Junior High youth groups; Pastor Jason is able to take part most of the time. Drew also leads the opening of our worship services. Holly teaches Sunday School for our elementary aged children and plays keyboard during worship services. Their baby daughter Zoe will one day exercise her spiritual gifts in serving Jesus. November 3, 2024 our church officially welcomed Zoe Williams into our congregation by celebrating her dedication with her parents officiated by Pastor Jason.
Drew, Holly and Pastor Jason also served at Covenant Bible Camp this past camping season. We are encouraged by the ministry of CYAK and those who volunteer to make camp happen each camp season. It has been a blessing to see campers from our village and other villages arrive and spend time at camp, year after year, learning about God and how to grow in a relationship with Him.
Elder Nora Kaganak continues to be faithful in helping us during times of our worship service when we sing a hymn and she boldly sings out loud guiding us to sing the chorus of a hymn in Yupik.
Johnny and Darlene lead our church choir and Naaman and Mary have continued to help our choir prepare to minister in song during the Lower Yukon Covenant Church Conference celebrated during the spring with the Hooper Bay Covenant Church congregation and the Mountain Village Covenant Church congregation. In early April, the Lord provided for our choir and church members to join with the Mountain Village Covenant Church members for a great time of encouragement and fellowship with the Hooper Bay Covenant Church as our hosts. Please continue to pray that God will provide pastors for our village churches who are without a pastor. We are so thankful for our brothers and sisters who step out in faith and serve in their local Covenant churches however they can as lay pastors, board members, deacons, doing building maintenance, playing instruments during church services, helping lead youth and children to grow in their faith, leading prayer groups, Bible studies, recovery groups, grief groups, cooking and baking, greeting people as they enter church, cleaning the church, shoveling snow from the church entrance – and the many other ways people serve and be the body of Christ working together in unity.
Quyana brothers and sisters. You are in our prayers.
ROAD SYSTEM CHURCH REPORTS
• CHUGACH COVENANT
• COMMUNITY COVENANT, Fairbanks
• COMMUNITY COVENANT, Eagle River
• FIRST COVENANT
• MAT-SU COVENANT
• MOUNTAIN VIEW HOPE
Chugach
Covenant Church (C3 Anchorage)
435 Standish St, Anchorage, AK 99504 – 907-764-3123
www.c3anchorage.org; Facebook: Chugach Covenant Church (@c3anchorage)
Annual Report for 2025 AK Conference Meeting
Submitted by Pastor Ben Schoffmann
Leadership Team: Scott Stair (Chair), Kevin Martin (Vice Chair), Wes Yenter (Financial Officer), JoAnne Noyles (Secretary), Walter Pittman, Gage Stair
Pastors: Ben Schoffmann, Walter Pittman
Though we remain a small fellowship, this past year has been one of the busiest ever for C3 Anchorage in terms of mission and ministry. God is opening doors and providing resources to help us in our mission to Love Christ, Love our Church, and Love our Community.
• Walter Pittman joined our team in February and was called as Pastor of Children’s and Family Ministries in October. He has recently taken on a key full-time role with Engage Your Destiny, a faith-based military suicide prevention ministry. He remains committed to C3 and is helping us to reestablish a military ministry as a result.
• We’ve been very blessed to have 3 CYAK interns throughout the year to help with kids and youth ministry. Adam Kaganak served from JanuaryAugust, Bill Iyatungak from July-August, and Rosa Wasuli started in July and is scheduled to be with C3 until this August.
• We now provide 4 days a week of after school ministry, 3 of which are for elementary kids and one for youth. In addition to Walter and Rosa, there is a solid group of C3 volunteers helping each week.
• We had our usual complement of mission teams from GraceWorks and Praying Pelicans throughout the summer, and one additional church partner to provide park ministry from late May into early August.
• The lot C3 purchased in 2022 began serving local families as a community garden and greenhouse from Muldoon Elementary PTA has been framed.
• A second home group was implemented to serve local families and our Men’s Ministry has been re-established.
• The Muldoon Elementary School partnership continues, although the school is struggling with attendance issues, which has affected some of our work, but we remain committed.
• For the third year running, we served over 50 individuals with our VITA Income Tax preparation assistance program at our Unity Center and Covenant House. We are also making plans to provide this service in 2025.
• Finally, our Unity Center and vehicles continue to provide significant in supporting our mission to the community and other Covenant and partner ministries, all free of cost.
We appreciate the support of the Alaska Conference and appreciate prayers for our efforts to obey and follow Jesus as we go into the world as His witnesses for His glory.
C3 Anchorage Annual Report; February, 2025
Love Christ, Love our Church, Love our Community
C3 Fairbanks Church
Loving God, Loving People through connecting, cultivating and commissioning 2136 McCullum Ave Ph. (907) 456-6553
Fairbanks, AK 99701
2025 Church Report:
office@c3fairbanks.com www.c3fairbanks.com
Thank you First Covenant Church for hosting our annual meeting this year! We are blessed to be a part of a bigger body of covenant people throughout Alaska and the world. If any of you travel to Fairbanks, please stop by and fellowship with us. We rejoice that our God is a God that can move mountains and that He is “able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think….”
With that verse in mind, we would like to report a couple of ways God moved some mountains for our body. About a year ago, we committed ourselves to prayer over two issues. One was a more intentional focus and study of God’s Word and secondly a more intentional focus on children and youth spiritual development. We did not have all the answers to our prayers but God did. First, we were able to start Go & Grow Groups for adults and children on Sunday mornings as a time for us to deeply study God’s written word. Secondly, God moved mountains to provide a children and youth director. Praise God!
God is also moving mountains in the lives of people, we are thankful for the testimonies of individuals who are growing in Christ and experiencing His life-changing power. Our desire is to Love God, Love People through connecting, cultivation and commissioning one another in the kingdom of God.
We appreciate very much the partnership with the Alaska Conference and Supt. Curtis Ivanoff, our sister churches in Alaska and the whole Evangelical Covenant Church. Together with our Covenant family, we strive to connect, cultivate and commission God’s family to carry out our Master’s command to carry the Good News of Jesus here, there and everywhere.
In Christ,
Fairbanks C3 Church
Church Board: Ministry Team:
Gary Larsen- Chair
Cam Scott- Secretary
Derek Wells- Treasure
Evans Callis-Financial Secretary
Stan VanAmburg- Pastor
Vacant- Commission Leader
Lara Martin- Cultivate Leader
Sue Larsen- Connect Leader
Report to the 2025 Annual Mee2ng
Eagle River Community Covenant Church 16123 Ar9llery Road, Eagle River, AK 99577
907.696.5229
www.communitycovenant.net
As we reflect on 2024, we are filled with gra9tude for God's faithfulness and the resilience of our church community during this season of transi9on. On September 30, 2024, we bid a hearNelt farewell to Pastor Todd and Lori Michero as they followed God's call to provide training to local pastors in underserved areas of the Majority World. Their leadership and dedica9on have leU a las9ng legacy, and we con9nue to hold them in prayer as they embark on this new chapter.
In this 9me of change, we are blessed to have Randy HoYeck serving as our interim lead pastor. Randy has brought steadfast guidance and spiritual encouragement to our congrega9on, ensuring that our mission to “Bring Christ’s Hope, Healing and Wholeness to our Community and to the World” remains at the forefront of all we do.
We are thrilled to report that Community Covenant Church con9nues to thrive and grow, even during this transi9onal period. Here are a few highlights from 2024:
• Worship and Community: Our weekly services have remained vibrant and well-a^ended (350400 weekly in-person and on-line), with 13 new members joining and finding a spiritual home within our community since January 1, 2025.
• Ministry Growth: Our children's and youth ministries have seen significant growth and engagement as well, fostering the hope of the next genera9on of believers.
• Outreach and Missions: Through various outreach programs and partnerships, we con9nued to serve our local community and beyond, sharing the hope of the Gospel.
• Spiritual Renewal: Small groups and Bible studies con9nue to grow and serve as a cornerstone of our church life, deepening our connec9ons with one another and with God.
As we look ahead to 2025, we are prayerfully seeking God's guidance in the process of calling a new pastor to lead us into the next chapter of our journey. We invite you, our broader church family, to con9nue to pray with us for wisdom and discernment in this process.
Together, we stand as a tes9mony to God's provision and grace.
In His Service,
Robert Schnell, Chair Leadership Team
Leadership Team: Robert Schnell, Tommy Gerlach, Natalie Dye, Andy McGee, Randy Kee, Alicia Holmgren, Betsy McGrew, Heidi Porter, Randy HoYeck
Submitted to the delegation by:
Board Members:
Andrea Wilson, Chair
Nancy Hjelm, Secretary
Nate Oberlee, Financial Officer
First Evangelical Church of Anchorage
For the AK Conference 2024 Annual Summary Report
Contact Information: 1145 C Street, Anchorage AK 99501 907-277-3322, office@anchoragefirstcovenant.com www.anchoragefirstcovenant.com
Criss Mitchell, Senior Pastor
Karen Bronczyk Vice Chair Birch Boyer
Gwen Anagick
Karl Thistle
Criss Mitchell, ex Officio
Though every year will have its highs and lows, in some important ways 2024 was a return to “normal.” This was the first year we have been fully staffed since before 2018. Having this core staff, has allowed us to expand our discipleship options, while at the same time, have a consistent dependable leadership in existing areas of ministry.
This year we emphasized reading Scripture, recommending the Bible Recap reading plan/podcast for people who did not have regular Bible reading rhythm. It has been encouraging to hear how people were able to develop, or in many cases rediscover, the spiritual practice of reading Scripture. This important discipleship practice will continue to shape and form our congregation for years to come.
We also were able to offer a few more educational options, in the form of short classes. Pastor Kristi led a great class on teens and mental health, as well as a marriage enrichment class. Both classes were well attended. Pastor Criss led a class on a theology of institutions and a time of reflection and discussion of the weekly reading in the Bible Recap. The classes involved lots of lively discussion.
We saw a lot of movement in missions this year. The Restrepo’s were on their home year and visited with us, sharing about the work they have been doing in Mexico especially in the areas of health, education and empowerment of women. It was wonderful to hear from them about how they have invested in community health in the region. We supported three college-aged students in mission trips. Blaise and Cayden Boyer went to Lake Tahoe to participate in a CRU mission. Josh Ivanoff went to Ecuador on a short mission trip. And lastly, the entire Potter family went to Papua New Guinea for a yearlong mission.
This past year the congregation welcomed the Scouts to our church. We sponsor a Cub Scout group and an older Scout group. This is a tremendous outreach opportunity to our community. Twice a week, our church is filled with people from around the community that are actively working to help young people develop a myriad of skills and teach them about active community involvement. Honestly, it has been a joy to see the Scouts in action.
The Holy Spirit is moving through the congregation. We are still seeing people coming forward to be baptized. Our children, youth, and young adult ministries are thriving. People continue to be involved in our community through the Emergency Cold Weather Shelter, In Our Backyard, and JOIN. And we continue seek out new ways to form community and to demonstrate Jesus’s love in our community, city, state, nation, and world. There are many areas we can continue to grow as a church we are not perfect, but we do our best to point to an active, loving, gracious and perfect God.
Mat-Su Evangelical Covenant Church
5201 Mayflower Lane
Wasilla, AK 99654
(907) 373-2322
info@matsucovenant.org
Church Chair: Matt Schneider
Pastor: John Meader
Church Board Members:
Chair - Matt Schneider
Vice Chair - Barry Dorman
Treasurer - Fran Farrelly
Secretary - Ruth Johnson
Members - Jynnie Matteson, Angela Lantz, Steve Hawk, Rebecca Lopez, Diana Betzold
Staff:
Pastor - John Meader
Youth Director - Mel Frecceiro
Report:
We’ve been working with Mary Hendrickson to live into our Why Statement: We welcome you to gather with us so that every generation is equipped to know and serve Christ. We’ve been growing as a church council and congregation. We’re excited to see where our Why Statement will take our church. We’ve identified our next steps and are starting the work needed to grow as a church together.
Mountain View Hope Annual Report March 2025
It is a difficult thing to admit that something you have poured your everything into for years is struggling, but Mountain View Hope is struggling. This is not to say that I am not proud of who we are; because I am very proud of who we are.
We are not struggling to be faithful. We are not struggling to serve our neighbors and our community. We are not struggling to love one another, to pursue life in Jesus or to participate in his kingdom. We are not struggling to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are simply struggling to remain sustainable for the long term.
In some respects, we’ve always known we set out to do something that was going to be very difficult - something that required genuine faith and trust in God to provide. Like many church communities today, we are trying to discern the pathway forward. We do not know what the Lord holds for our future and that of our neighborhood.
Over the past 7-8 years, we have become known as a church who supports the community, but we have not become a church of the community as much as we need to. Being a small community has afforded me (Phil Cannon) the opportunity to cultivate relationships throughout the community and to really become something akin to a neighborhood chaplain. Again, it has not translated into church growth, but it is still very much faithful ministry.
Most of our outreach efforts today have something to do with providing for the poorest and those with the most need in our community.
When Jesus was asked “Who is my neighbor?” he told a story that did not reveal who the neighbor is that needs to be loved, but instead, it revealed what it means to be a good neighbor. I am proud to say that Mountain View Hope is a very good neighbor in our community.
Every day feels like a step of faith. We are not guaranteed a tomorrow, but we are trusting Jesus every step of the way.
Respectfully Submitted, Pastor
Phil Cannon
Scammon Bay Covenant Church Report for the 2025 Annual Meeting
PO Box 109 Scammon Bay AK 99662 / 907-558-6145
Submitted by Pastor Jason Stromstad on behalf of the Scammon Bay Covenant Church.
We are thankful for the leadership of church board members John Uttereyuk, Darlene Ulak, Byron Ulak, Jacob Rivers, and George Smith.
Greetings brothers and sisters from the Scammon Bay Covenant Church. This past year has been one of celebration and a time of sorrow. We celebrated three weddings in our church this past year; Pastor Jason did the pre-marital counseling while John Uttereyuk officiated two weddings and Pastor Jason officiated one.
Pastor Jason was asked to officiate the funeral for Paul Nakusuk in Hooper Bay and we had a Celebration of Paul’s Life in the Hooper Bay Covenant Church on September 21, 2024. This past year has been a time of heartache as many in our village have experienced loss of loved ones in nearby villages. We are looking to the Lord for comfort as we trust in the Lord’s ability to walk with us through our times of grief. Prayer and fellowship together is an important part of our healing.
Our church continues to rejoice in God’s provision of Youth Pastor Drew Williams and Holly Williams who minister to our Senior High and Junior High youth groups; Pastor Jason is able to take part most of the time Drew also leads the opening of our worship services. Holly teaches Sunday School for our elementary aged children and plays keyboard during worship services. Their baby daughter Zoe will one day exercise her spiritual gifts in serving Jesus. November 3, 2024 our church officially welcomed Zoe Williams into our congregation by celebrating her dedication with her parents officiated by Pastor Jason.
Drew, Holly and Pastor Jason also served at Covenant Bible Camp this past camping season. We are encouraged by the ministry of CYAK and those who volunteer to make camp happen each camp season. It has been a blessing to see campers from our village and other villages arrive and spend time at camp, year after year, learning about God and how to grow in a relationship with Him.
Elder Nora Kaganak continues to be faithful in helping us during times of our worship service when we sing a hymn and she boldly sings out loud guiding us to sing the chorus of a hymn in Yupik.
Johnny and Darlene lead our church choir and Naaman and Mary have continued to help our choir prepare to minister in song during the Lower Yukon Covenant Church Conference celebrated during the spring with the Hooper Bay Covenant Church congregation and the Mountain Village Covenant Church congregation. In early April, the Lord provided for our choir and church members to join with the Mountain Village Covenant Church members for a great time of encouragement and fellowship with the Hooper Bay Covenant Church as our hosts. Please continue to pray that God will provide pastors for our village churches who are without a pastor. We are so thankful for our brothers and sisters who step out in faith and serve in their local Covenant churches however they can as lay pastors, board members, deacons, doing building maintenance, playing instruments during church services, helping lead youth and children to grow in their faith, leading prayer groups, Bible studies, recovery groups, grief groups, cooking and baking, greeting people as they enter church, cleaning the church, shoveling snow from the church entrance – and the many other ways people serve and be the body of Christ working together in unity.
Quyana brothers and sisters. You are in our prayers.
