Grace and peace to you as you gather this spring. I wish I could be with you in person. Please know how deeply grateful I am for you and for your faithful presence in your communities. As you worship, discern, and conduct the work of the church, I pray your time together will be marked by joy, clarity, and a renewed awareness of God’s faithful work among you.
Across the Covenant this year, we have been leaning into the theme of “One Another.” I continue to be encouraged by how that calling is coming to life. In a season when many of our neighbors are navigating hardship and uncertainty, Covenanters have chosen to show up with compassion. You are caring for one another, strengthening one another, and extending that same love outward into your communities.
We see renewal unfolding not only here in the U.S. and Canada, but wherever God’s people lean into him and one another. I was reminded of this recently while visiting our Covenant sisters and brothers in Taiwan, Thailand, and Japan. Standing in worship, I saw the same Spirit at work across cultures and languages renewing hearts, strengthening churches, and raising up leaders. Though oceans separate us, we are one body in Christ.
This is a meaningful year in our shared life. Covenant World Relief and Development marks 80 years of faithful ministry—a beautiful testimony of long obedience and loving our neighbors near and far. And as we celebrate 50 years of women’s ordination in the Covenant, we give thanks for the ways God continues to expand, strengthen, and renew our leadership and witness. I look forward to celebrating this milestone when we gather in Scottsdale, Arizona, for Gather 2026.
Friends, as you meet together, may you sense the Spirit’s renewing presence among you. May your conversations reflect humility and hope. May your decisions be shaped by love. And may your life together continue to demonstrate what it means to be for one another—for God’s glory and your neighbors’ good.
I leave you with Paul’s encouragement:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
For God’s glory and neighbor’s good,
Tammy Swanson-Draheim, PRESIDENT, EVANGELICAL COVENANT CHURCH
2026 Annual Meeting Registered Delegates
Keith Hamilton Alaska Christian College
Edwin Havener
Bethel Evangelical Covenant Church
Kenan Marsan Bethel Evangelical Covenant Church
Martha Schoffmann Chugach Covenant Church
Tina Johnson-Stair Chugach Covenant Church
Brian Nanninga Community Covenant Church - ER - Pastoral
Mike Alverts Community Covenant Church - ER
Alyeska Callis
Community Covenant Church - FBX
Evans Callis Community Covenant Church - FBX
Byron Bruckner CYAK
Grace Takak Elim Covenant Church
Kenneth Takak Elim Covenant Church
Criss Mitchell First Evangelical Covenant Church - Pastoral
Kristi Ivanoff First Evangelical Covenant Church
Andrea Wilson First Evangelical Covenant Church
Teresa Nukusuk Hooper Bay Covenant Church
Alfred Jaryan Hooper Bay Covenant Church
Patty Burchell KICY
Bucky Brentice Koyuk Covenant Church
Beda Prentice Koyuk Covenant Church
Virginia "Jynnie" Matteson Mat-Su Covenant Church
April Conrad Mat-Su Covenant Church
Lauren Thurston Mekoryuk Covenant Church - Pastoral
Beatrice Olrun Kiokun Mekoryuk Covenant Church
Melanie Shavings Mekoryuk Covenant Church
Nora Nagaruk Nome Covenant Church
Jason Stromstad Scammon Bay Covenant Church - Pastoral
James Barefoot Shaktoolik Covenant Church - Pastoral
Betty Jackson Shaktoolik Covenant Church
Lynn Jackson Shaktoolik Covenant Church
Abel Razzo Unalakleet Covenant Church - Pastoral
Kami Webster Unalakleet Covenant Church
Mary Beth Daniels Unalakleet Covenant Church
Curtis Ivanoff Alaska Conference Superintendent
Lynnette Boyer Alaska Conference
Ben Schoffmann ACEB Chair
Debbie Hamilton
Edward Kiokun
Don Cross
Heidi Ivanoff
Patrick McClean
James Ventress
Drew Williams
ACEB Vice Chair
ACEB Treasurer
ACEB
ACEB
ACEB
ACEB
ACEB
2026ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA
April 10, 2026
Alaska Christian College, Soldotna
PREPARING OUR HEARTS
1. Welcome & Opening Prayer – Ben Schoffmann, Chair, Keith Hamilton, ACC President
18. Local Church Reports (Part 3) – Norton Sound – Church Representatives
19. Executive Board Election Results and Acknowledgments – Ben Schoffmann, Curtis Ivanoff
20. Daniel Savetilik, Sr. Award – Curtis Ivanoff
21. Constitution & ByLaws Changes – Ben Schoffmann
a. Rationale
b. Process
c. Summary & Overview
GOING FORWARD IN MISSION
22. Other ECC Guests (time-permitting)
a. Rob Hall – National Covenant Properties
b. Tim Hedberg – Covenant Trust Company
23. 2026 Minutes Motion – Ben Schoffmann
24. 2027Annual Meeting location – Curtis Ivanoff
25. 2026 Resolutions Committee Report –
26. Prayer &Adjournment – Ben Schoffmann
Alaska Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church
2026 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.
2025 ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
April 4, 2025
First Evangelical Covenant Church, Anchorage
PREPARING OUR HEARTS
1. Welcome & Opening Prayer – Ben Schoffmann, Chair
2. Devotional: Moving Mountains – Superintendent Curtis Ivanoff Psalm 136 reminds us of the mountain that God moved for the Israelites, though not a mountain, God moved the waters of the Red Sea. Israel’s deliverance out of Egypt hinged on Moses’s friendship with God. The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Let’s go to God and nurture our friendship with Him.
ORGANIZATION OF THE MEETING
3. Report on Delegates – Chris Perrigo, Secretary
51 registered delegates, 45 delegates present. Quorum established.
4. Directions/Standing Rules – Ben Schoffmann
Sheree Meader moved to accept the Standing Rules, Drew Williams seconded. All in favor.
5. Acceptance of Agenda – Ben Schoffmann
The Agenda was accepted as presented with a majority vote.
6. Acknowledgement of 2024 Minutes (approved by AC Executive Board) – Ben Schoffmann
STRENGTHENING & SUPPORTING OUR SHARED MISSION
7. Special Greetings – Curtis Ivanoff
a. ECC – Tammy Swanson-Draheim (President)
Curtis welcomed Tammy with a gift - an Alaskan-made qaspeq. This is the 140th anniversary of the Covenant; at the 2025 Gather, eighteen countries will attend for a time of mutual learning and worshiping. An ECC promotional video showcased the ministries of the churches, conferences, and the entire denomination uniting us 3strand strong. Following her remarks, Tammy answered questions.
Tammy then acknowledged that Reverend Superintendent Curtis Ivanoff received the North Park Theological Seminary Alumni Award this past Mid-Winter.
Pastor Mike Zabel gave thanks for and prayed for Tammy and the work she represents at the denomination.
b. Other Guests were introduced – Rob Hall, National Covenant Properties
Tim Hedberg, Covenant Trust Company
8. Conference Ministry Report – Curtis Ivanoff
We give thanks for the calling of Pastors Arniel Salinasal (Elim) and James Barefoot (Shaktoolik) this year. Pastors Adam London (Bethel) and Todd Michero (Community Covenant) have concluded service and moved to different ministry settings outside of Alaska. Our denomination is willing to adjust the credentialing process in partnership with ACC to empower current “lay pastors” to move forward in becoming licensed. The yearly Pastor Retreat, Fishing Friendzy, and Midwinter Conference are occasions that provide care and resourcing for our church leaders. Several of our rural churches have received the generous gift of new church structures. Other church groups have served in villages making needed improvements to existing buildings as well as other ministry opportunities. Three changes in AC personnel has developed from the departure of Brian Nanninga (Associate Superintendent). Lynnette Boyer has an increase in hours as - Director of Ministry and Equipping, Mike Alverts will share goals with CYAK to fill the role - Western Alaska Ministry Associate, and Financial Clerk, a part-time position, is not yet filled. As the Mountain Village Covenant Church land issue has been resolved, discernment of Mountain View Hope Covenant Church’s future remains. Pastor James Barefoot prayed for Curtis.
9. Conference Strategic Plan & Staffing Update – Curtis Ivanoff
Mission Statement: Shepherding pastors, leaders, churches and ministries to enable churches and ministries to cultivate disciples. Shepherding leaders
The COR activities are care, oversight and resourcing with the primary focus on resourcing. Director of Ministry Equipping and Services
Lynnette Boyer
Western Alaska Ministry Associate Mike Alverts (Shared with CYAK)
Financial Clerk (~ 4 hrs/week)
10. Local Church Reports – Norton Sound – Church Representatives
Church reports were provided in the meeting packet. Representatives came forward to share a praise and prayer request for their respective churches: Craig Willoya – Golovin Covenant Church; Annie Adams – Koyuk Covenant Church; Lloyd Perrigo – Nome Covenant Church; Betty K Jackson – Shaktoolik Covenant Church; Pastor Abel Razzo – Unalakleet Covenant Church; Pastor Bonnie LaBore – White Mountain Covenant Church. Drew Williams prayed for the Norton Sound churches.
11. Affiliate Corporation Ministry Reports – Ben Schoffmann
a. Alaska Christian College (ACC) – Eric Johnson for Keith Hamilton 10 students will graduate on April 26, 2025. While not optimum numbers, ACC’s top priority is a strategic enrollment plan for a larger fall class. The YAMAHA certification program has shown increased participation. Pray for a $300,000 grant to launch an expanded CTE program. North Park Theological Seminary (NPTS) is
currently writing a grant that would support raising up more rural leaders with combined partnership involving the Alaska Conference and ACC. The College’s 25th anniversary year celebration will be held at ChangePoint Church on October 18, 2025. “Miracles on Royal Place”, a book on the many miracles over ACC’s first 25 years, will be available at the celebration. The Athletic Center has been a great addition to student ministry as well as the community. Youth evangelism, through a rural village basketball camp, will be held this summer. Curtis Ivanoff prayed for ACC.
b. Covenant Youth of Alaska (CYAK) – Byron Bruckner
Last summer, approximately 300 youth, 125 volunteers, six young adult interns and 25 high school student leaders lived and grew together. Volunteers are needed for the upcoming Camp season. Young adult retreats were held in Big Lake, Wasilla, and Mekoryuk, with a spring retreat at ACC planned. Additional Jr High/High School retreats have taken place on the Southcentral road system churches. Mike Alverts, CYAK’s Rural Alaska Network Director, ministers to youth, spending significant time in Shaktoolik, Unalakleet, Elim and Hooper Bay. Aarigaa Discipleship House houses five residents and with the remodel underway will increase capacity to 10-12 students. This is a positive residential model for Christian community. A second Aarigaa House site in Soldotna in partnership with AEC is being explored. Crossroads is a discipleship program held in Anchorage for young men and woman. A Discipleship Camp will launch at Chickaloon Retreat Center in May. Continued expansion of the Center will increase retreat capacity to 35. Youth ministry is supported by partnerships with Nome Covenant (James Ventress), Scammon Bay Covenant (Drew Williams), First Covenant Anchorage – Alex Tsakos, C3 Anchorage – Rosa Wasuli, ACC recruitment support – Mike Alverts, Native InterVarsity –UAA/UAF locations. Lutheran Indian Ministries will provide a “Healing Wounds of Trauma” training in Unalakleet and Shaktoolik in April. Don Cross prayed for CYAK and the ministry of Bible Camp.
c. Arctic Broadcasting (KICY) – Curtis Ivanoff
Many Alaska pastors are participating in the daily prayer program – CareForce. The radio equipment continues to function well with great support technicians. The Studio Renovation Project Phase 1 is moving ahead with funding in place. The staff is able and willing despite being short-staffed. State Basketball coverage this year was amazing. Patty is seeking full-time staff; at least 1, but preferably 2, as well as, a Russian Language Program Coordinator. Procuring funding for Phase 2 of the Renovation Project continues, involving the actual studio building. We celebrate 65 years of operations on April 17. Praise God! Sarah Miller prayed for KICY.
12. Local Church Reports – YK Delta – Church Representatives
Edwin Havener – Bethel Covenant Church; Kenneth Reed – Hooper Bay Covenant Church; Pastor Lauren Thurston – Mekoryuk Covenant Church; Pastor Chip Swanson – Mountain Village Covenant Church; Pastor Jason Stromstad – Scammon Bay Covenant Church. Heidi
Ivanoff prayed for the YK Delta Churches.
13. Special Commission Report – Financial Alignment & Sustainability – Ben Schoffmann
After the Conference’s significant financial shortfall last year (~ $125,000), the Conference established a Special Commission to review income and expenses to close the gap in the future. After a series of meetings over the past year, the Special Commission completed its work and has recommended: 1. More intentional fundraising efforts towards individuals, churches, ECC conferences and denomination, while better leveraging the Village Pastors Fund and exploring more grants. 2. Better steward funds by better understanding village church needs, providing customized assistance and reviewing staffing after Associate Superintendent vacancy. 3. Advocate for and initiate plans for more local pastoral leadership.
Last year’s financial performance improved significantly over the prior year for several reasons. FY 24.25 income was $70,000 over forecast due to the following: Unexpected gifts in the form of $65,000 from the Pacific Northwest Conference, 2 large individual gifts, a grant and $25,000 extra from the ECC helped to offset lower than anticipated income from the Village Pastors’ Fund and member churches. Expenses were lower primarily due to the departure of Brian Nanninga, Associate Superintendent, last November. Instead of a $111,000 deficit as budgeted, the actual deficit is estimated to be about $13,700 once the books are closed for FY 24.25.
15. Budget Proposal & Approval – Ed Kiokun/Curt Lindner
The FY 25-26 Budget was proposed and compared to the prior year:
Giving and income is forecast to be slightly down but still strong. There are ongoing increased efforts to raise funds through the Village Pastor Fund. The large special gifts from this past year are unlikely to repeat. The changes in Alaska Conference staff (departure of Brian Nanninga, increased pay for role growth of Lynnette Boyer and sharing 25% of Mike Alverts’ (CYAK) time for Western Alaska Ministry Associate). In addition, existing staff are being recommended to receive a 3.1% COLA for Conference staff as are supplemental payments for village pastors.
Motion: Approve the FY-25.26 Alaska Conference Annual Budget as presented. This motion was approved. Byron Bruckner offered a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s provision.
16. Credentialing Report from Ministerium – Mike Zabel, Conference Ministerial Assoc. Chair Mike presented pastors for ordination and licensing from the Alaska Conference Ministerial Association.
The Alaska Ministerial Association motion: To forward the recommendation of Ordination to Word and Sacrament for Mike Alverts to the Annual Meeting of the ECC Ministerium for approval; Drew Williams seconded. All in favor.
Attendees who wish to add their voice to the second were invited to do so by emailing the Conference Office.
The Alaska Ministerial Association motion: To forward the recommendation of Ordination to Word and Sacrament for Christianne Zeiger to the Annual Meeting of the ECC Ministerium for approval; Bonnie LaBore seconded. All in favor.
Attendees who wish to add their voice to the second were invited to do so by emailing the Conference Office.
The Alaska Ministerial Association motion: To forward the recommendation on First Time Ministry Licenses for Lynnette Boyer and Lauren Thurston to the Annual Meeting of the ECC Ministerium for approval; Ed Kiokun seconded. All in favor.
The Alaska Ministerial Association motion: To forward the recommendation on BiVocational (Stan Van Amburg, Bonnie LaBore) and Ministry License Renewals (James Barefoot, Jeff Keyser, Abel Razzo, Tyler Shaw, James Ventress, Drew Williams) to the Annual Meeting of the ECC Ministerium for approval; Lauren Thurston seconded. All in favor.
Mike expressed appreciation for the support of the Conference’s pastors.
The Nominating Commission presented candidates for the open positions on the board. Ballots were available for all eligible delegate voters. There were no nominations from the floor. The following were elected to serve 3-year terms on the AC Executive Board: James Ventress – Norton Sound, Drew Williams (incumbent) – YK Delta, Debbie Hamilton (incumbent) – Road System. Chair Ben expressed his appreciation for Chris Perrigo’s six years of service.
18. Local Church Reports – Road System – Church Representatives
Gage Stair - Chugach Covenant Church, Doris VanAmburg – Community Covenant Church Fairbanks; Pastor Randy Hoffbeck – Community Covenant Church Eagle River; Andrea Wilson – First Covenant Church Anchorage; Pastor John Meader - Mat-Su Covenant Church; Pastor Phil Cannon – Mountain View Hope Church. Patrick McLean prayed for the Road System churches.
19. Daniel Savetilik, Sr. Award – Curtis Ivanoff
Samson Weston was awarded the Daniel Savetilik, Sr Award for 2025. Appreciation was expressed for his many years of dedicated volunteer service and generous personal
contribution to help carry on the work of the gospel in Mekoryuk.
GOING FORWARD IN MISSION
20. 2025 Minutes Motion – Ben Schoffmann
Motion: The Conference Executive Board be delegated the responsibility and authority to review and approve the minutes of the 2025 Annual Meeting. Approved.
21. 2026 Annual Meeting location – Curtis Ivanoff
Keith Hamilton has extended the invitation for the 2026 Annual Meeting, April 8–11, 2026 at Alaska Christian College (ACC), Soldotna, AK.
22. 2025 Resolutions Committee Report – Mike Zabel & Eric Johnson
Whereas, First Covenant Church has been our gracious host site, in close collaboration with Mountain View Hope Covenant and Chugach Covenant, for the 2025 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 give thanks to all of those who prepared the wonderful meals where we could share table fellowship for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Be it resolved, that the Alaska Conference Annual meeting recognize and give thanks to all those who hosted delegates and guests in their home during the Conference, and to those who helped to provide transportation throughout the biggest village of Alaska.
Be it resolved, that the Alaska Conference Annual Meeting recognize and give thanks to Phil Cannon, Ben Schoffmann, and the teams of worship leaders, musicians, projectionists, and sound technicians who have lead us in worshiping Jesus through songs, hymns, praise and worship and visual arts and sound.
Be it resolved, that the Alaska Conference Annual Meeting joyfully celebrate the many delegates and friends of the Covenant Church in Alaska who came together to look to Jesus, in faith, that he might move mountains in our lives, our communities and our world.
Be it resolved, that we give a special welcome to ECC President Tammy Swanson-Draheim for her first visit to Alaska as our esteemed president. We deeply appreciate your leadership to move us forward in mission together, and for your friendship to our people.
Be it resolved, that the Alaska Conference Annual Meeting honor Samson Weston as recipient for the Daniel Savetilik, Sr. Award for his many years of dedicated volunteer service and generous personal contribution to help carry on the work of the gospel in Mekoryuk.
Be it resolved, that the Alaska Conference Annual Meeting recognize the contributions of our honored guests who helped to spur us on in trusting that Jesus can, does and will move mountains. We are grateful to have Adam Legg, Director of Love Alaska, to share about
moving mountains of injustice; for Rob Hall to help equip us to be good stewards of the financial resources God has given; for Tim Hedburg with Covenant Trust Company to provide support in thinking about our wills and also stewarding well our resources for the sake of the kingdom; and for Jeffrey Spang of Arctic Barnabas who came to offer support to our pastors.
Be it resolved, that the Alaska Conference Annual Meeting offers thanks to those who have served in leadership – for Christina Perrigo for her service on our Executive Board; and for Mike Zabel and Sean Hoffbeck for service on the Ministerial Association Executive Committee.
Be it resolved, that the Alaska Conference Annual Meeting offers thanks to Kristi Ivanoff and Lynnette Boyer for leading us in planning and preparing for all the many details that our time would go well.
Be it resolved, that the Alaska Conference Annual Meeting is grateful for our speakers opening God’s Word to us. For Pastor Criss Mitchell who encouraged us to remember our identity is rooted in Jesus; for Kristen Bierma of Beacon Hill who challenged us to walk the Jericho Road like Jesus, to care for those who need a home and family; for President Tammy Swanson-Draheim who encouraged us to remember that in order to move mountains, we need to pray to God, with faith trusting He is able; and to Superintendent Curtis Ivanoff, who reminded us that Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” out of His great love for us.
Be it resolved, that the Alaska Conference Annual Meeting calls and affirms James Ventress of Norton Sound, Drew Williams of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, and Debbie Hamilton 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 in Soldotna, Alaska for the 2026 Alaska Conference Annual Meeting, to join Alaska Christian College in celebrating 25 years of providing whole life discipleship and life changing education.
Be it further resolved, that the Alaska Conference Annual Meeting gives thanks and praise to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who guides us, dwells with us, and intentionally leads us into the future of reaching the lost for Christ through Alaska’s churches, institutions, and ministry partners. May we be witnesses to all the world and deeply committed to further living out the theme of “Moving Mountains”.
23. Prayer and Adjournment – Ben Schoffmann
Criss Mitchell moved to adjourn, Byron Bruckner seconded. All in favor. Closing prayer by Curtis Ivanoff.
2026 Superintendent Report
INTRODUCTION
It is a joy to be gathering this year at Alaska Christian College in Soldotna in the spirit of celebrating 25 years of ministry. What began as a dream in many people’s hearts to expand how we serve our youth that graduated from high school is now a fully accredited two-year college with a heart for discipleship. I am grateful for President Keith Hamilton’s leadership and all of the faculty and staff who make “life changing education” a possibility for many Alaska Native students. We are grateful to gather on the campus of our school and I hope that there will be more who catch the vision for what ACC is all about, that we might see more of our students receive all the good opportunities that are offered. “To God be the glory, great things He has done!”
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 Pastor Church
Ben Schoffmann Chugach
Open Hooper Bay
Open Bethel
Arniel Salinasal Elim
Criss Mitchell First Covenant ANC
Lauren Thurston Mekoryuk
John Meader Mat-Su Covenant
Brian Nanninga Community Covenant (ER)
Abel Razzo Unalakleet Open Golovin
Stan Van Amburg Community Covenant (FAI) Don Cross Koyuk
Open Nome
Jason Stromstad Scammon Bay
Open Mountain Village
Phil Cannon Mountain View Hope
James Barefoot Shaktoolik
Bonnie LaBore White Mountain
Leader Ministry Leader Ministry
Byron Bruckner
Covenant Youth of Alaska
Chaplain Ministry
Maj. Mark Hill Eielson Air Force Base
Capt.Derek Vandermolen JBER
Christianne Zeiger Kenai Peninsula Home Health
Keith Hamilton
Alaska Christian College
Patty Burchell KICY Radio
Chaplain Ministry
Maj. Amy Smith Ft. Wainwright
Frank Alioto Central Peninsula Hospital
Alaska Conference Executive Board
Y-K Delta: Drew Williams, Edward Kiokun, Patrick McLean
Norton Sound: Heidi Ivanoff, James Ventress, Don Cross Road System: Ben Schoffmann, Sarah Miller, Debbie Hamilton
MISSION AND MINISTRY
I want to begin by acknowledging and thanking all of our pastors and ministry leaders who serve in our local churches and Conference ministries. I honor our pastors who have (or will) made transitions: Mike Zabel (retired); Bonnie Labore (retired); Randy Hoffbeck (from Community
Covenant-Eagle River); Heather Smith (from Comm. Cov-ER to chaplaincy); John Meader (from MatSu); Brian Nanninga (to Comm Cov-ER). I also give thanks for those lay leaders who are serving in pastoral ways in those churches who do not have a pastor, your service is so valuable.
One focus of our ministry as a Conference is to provide care for our pastors, leaders and churches. Through the course of the year, there are many phone calls, visits, cups of coffee, meals and conversations where we offer a listening ear, prayer or guidance. Whatever the need, we seek to be a support in however we can. In July, we hosted the “Fishing Friendzy” and had 45 pastors and ministry team members come and stay at Alaska Christian College. Over five days we collectively dip netted 1,047 Red salmon, helping to provide food for the winter for our people. Talk about God’s abundant provision! In October we held our Pastor Leader retreat at Camp Maranatha in Big Lake, with about 40 pastors and leaders attending, including two lay leaders from rural Alaska. We were blessed to hear from Herb (ECC Executive Minister of Serve Clergy) and Paula Frost. The time together was invaluable for encouragement and support. In January, 21 pastors and CYAK team members attended the Midwinter Conference in Chicago put on by the ECC for a time of connecting, encouragement, equipping. One highlight was the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Covenant World Relief ministry where we had the opportunity to reflect on God’s faithfulness, partnership and transformation through CWR.
Mike Alverts has served the Alaska Conference in a quarter time role now for one year focusing on providing care and support for western Alaska churches. He also serves Covenant Youth of Alaska with the same focus on western Alaska. It has been a natural partnership as he has been making his way around western Alaska to be a presence of support. When he is not in western Alaska, he makes calls to be an encouragement. Praise God for Mike’s supportive and encouraging presence to our pastors and leaders!
Across the nation, it has become increasingly challenging to find pastoral candidates, and we feel that challenge here, especially in rural churches. We consistently network with our other Conferences and the denomination to find qualified candidates. It was a blessing to install Brian Nanninga as lead pastor of Community Covenant in August. I have been actively supporting Bethel and Nome in their pastoral searches.
One year ago we shared that we have a vision that we might “return to our roots” in some way by encouraging and affirming churches to call lay pastors as we did many years ago. It has taken a lot of time and work, and I am pleased to say that the pathway is now available. A big thank you to Lynnette Boyer who did a lot of the heavy lifting to work with our Ordered Ministry and New Hope Counseling Center to create a modified process for gifted and called lay persons to be able to receive a bivocational license. This involves local churches to identify and call those who are gifted and show pastoral care and leadership, and we are here to fully support that process.
It delights me to highlight that we have two pastors being ordained this summer at Gather, Lauren Thurston (Mekoryuk Covenant) and Lynnette Boyer (Alaska Conference). I find it fitting as this year we are celebrating 50 years of the Evangelical Covenant Church ordaining and fully credentialing women. Praise God for the grace he gives men and women to serve together as co-laborers in the work of the gospel!
North Park Theological Seminary was recently awarded a grant from the Lily Foundation of over $8 million dollars over a period of five years. This has created the One Covenant Community project, which “seeks to cultivate a thriving ecosystem of pastoral leadership across the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) by strengthening the full arc of vocational discernment, theological education, credentialing, and lifelong support through deep collaboration among Covenant institutions, conferences, congregations, and communities.” We are receiving a portion of funding to help accomplish the collective purpose. Over time, we anticipate this will be a help in our work to equip future or current pastoral leaders in the Alaska Conference. I offer my thanks to Dr. Hauna Ondrey, who is with us at our annual meeting, for being a key leader and gatherer of all of the organizations partnering in this opportunity.
In September 2017, Pastor Phil Cannon and his wife Kate answered the call to plant a church in the Mountain View neighborhood in Anchorage. Phil’s vision was for the church to be a parish church, one that serves and focuses on a specific area in the community of Anchorage. It is a joy to report that Mountain View Hope Covenant will be voted on this summer at Gather (the ECC annual meeting) to become a “member” church in the ECC. Like all churches, Mountain View Hope faced the challenges that were a result of the pandemic a few years ago, but by God’s grace and faithfulness, Pastor Phil and Kate’s persistent and faithful ministry, the church is effectively serving the Mountain View community in ways that fulfill Christ’s mission in significant ways. They currently worship at the community library in the neighborhood and have worked to develop a plan to establish a community center. Let us pray for Pastor Phil and Kate, for Mountain View Hope and the ongoing ministry they are carrying out. I give God praise and thanks for Mountain View Hope Covenant!
Our collective Alaska Conference churches and ministries have a great number of partnerships with local churches and individuals from outside of Alaska. Over 40 churches, along with hundreds of individuals, partnered with our Alaska ministries in rural as well as road system communities to provide ministry support and encouragement through short term mission trips Merge Ministry has helped to facilitate four of those groups to come and serve for 7 to 10 days. Merge has a strong focus on building relationships with local community members, an approach which helps to foster mutual edification. They have plans to facilitate 6 more this coming summer in White Mountain, Anchorage (Chugach Covenant), Nome, Mountain Village and CYAK as host locations. Praise God for Merge Ministry and our many partners as they help to be a part of the good news of Jesus being proclaimed here in Alaska!
Given that we are so often on the receiving end of mission teams, it has been on our hearts to offer a Conference sponsored global mission opportunity where our people can participate in what Jesus is doing in another part of the world. In December, Kristi and I led a team of five young adults (Victoria Fisher, Sonya Ivanoff, Autumn Nanouk, Josh Ivanoff and Nate Johnson) to serve in Finland. It was such an encouragement to meet fellow “Mission Friends” in Finland while serving at a midwinter youth conference called “Midvinterveckan”. We pray God will lead and guide us for future mission!
In conclusion I want to express how deeply grateful I am for our team of Lynnette, Kristi, Mike and Andrea. While we are a small team with mostly part time people, we have a deep commitment to “shepherding leaders” well as we serve our churches, pastors, ministry and lay leaders. As I approach the end of the third year of my term, I am committing the upcoming discernment for any further future service to God’s leading and guiding. It is my joy to serve our people and I will always say that it is what God has given to me to steward. Lastly, I want to give deep thanks to my wife Kristi, not only does she serve on the team and is a fellow ordained Covenant pastor (!), she is my best friend and greatest support in the ministry God has called not only myself, but her as well. May God cause our hearts, our churches, our ministries and communities to come more and more alive by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for your faithfulness in seeking the Lord together as we partner in the mission of Jesus here in Alaska and beyond. To God be the glory.
Respectfully submitted,
Curtis Ivanoff, Superintendent
Alaska Conference of the ECC Financial Dashboard
Through: January 2026 10 Months "in the books"
Statement of Financial Position
Statement of Financial Position
The Alaska Conference of the Evangelical Covenant
ANNUAL REPORT TO THE ALASKA CONFERENCE OF THE EVANGELICAL COVENANT CHURCH
Your college just turned 25 years old! This is a milestone year for your college and ACC has been celebrating all year long. Over 300 friends joined us at the 25th anniversary dinner at Changepoint Church last October to celebrate all the Lord has done in these amazing years. To further celebrate, the book “Miracle on Royal Place” chronicles all the miracles that the Lord has done and is now available. ACC has traveled to 30 different venues to share the ACC story with partners who have generously contributed to the ‘Finish and Flourish” capital campaign. The $1.5M campaign is nearly finished. ACC has used the funds to finish the athletic center’s 1,740 sq. foot lobby and has launched the “Pray for 75” campaign. ACC sincerely desires to return our enrollment numbers to a minimum of 75 students in the two years to come. Pray with us!
ACC is also embarking on a final capital campaign for the Gloria Chapel. Through unexpected bequests from partners that have “graduated,” ACC has funds for 80% of the cost of this 200 seat chapel to be constructed next to the lobby currently under construction. Dedication Sunday is set for Sunday, April 25, 2027. The 26th commencement will be held for the first time on the campus of ACC in the new chapel. All are invited.
ACC hosted in mid-March the 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation visit by the Association for Biblical Higher Education, ACC’s accrediting body. ACC will find out in March, 2027, whether or not it will receive another 10 years of being fully accredited. We are confident ACC will be strongly considered. Pray!
Once again, ACC will host over 230 summer SOWERS volunteers at the campus over eight weeks this summer. With a myriad of projects to be completed, the biggest project is the completion, by the end of the summer, the Athletic Center lobby. If you would like to join our volunteers this summer, please reach out to ACC. In addition, 20 different volunteers have come during the academic year. They are “Team Nehemiah” members and stay for one to three months at a time.
ACC celebrates six students graduating April 26th and many who have progressed through ACC’s YAMAHA small engine repair classes. ACC received a $100,000 grant to buy two major equipment operation simulators. ACC continues to expand its Career Technical Ed options for students in the General Ed degree.
Statistically, ACC has had over 925 students walk through its doors, ACC started with one building on 10 acres and now has 28 different completed building projects on 30 acres, it has a legacy endowment that surpasses $3,700,000, and the entire campus is debt-free. This is a reason to give honor and praise to Jesus.
To conclude, it is really all about students that we celebrate in our 25th year. Lives have been changed for eternity with students that have excelled academically, been healed from past wounds and hurts through New Hope Counseling Center, been discipled in God’s Word, and loved unconditionally. ACC is fully prepared for the next 25 years should the Lord so desire. Join ACC in praying for God’s best for ACC!
35109 Royal Place
Soldotna, AK 99669
p: 907.260.7422
f: 907.260.6722
www.AlaskaCC.edu
AlaskaChristianCollege
AlaskaChristianCollege
BalanceSheet
Covenant Youth of Alaska
Annual Report 2026
Our Mission
We share the love and hope of Christ with Alaska youth and young adults.
Our Values
● Outreach & Christ-Centered Formation
● Healthy Relationships
● Intercultural Understanding
● Native Leadership Development
● Partnerships & Local Church Collaboration
● Fun!
Our Staff
CYAK continues to operate through a dynamic and distributed team across Alaska:
Mike Alverts – Western Alaska Network Director
Cory Alverts – Administrative Director
Angelina Brandt – Youth Intern (Fairbanks)
Aly Callis – Youth & Children’s Director, C3 Church Fairbanks
John Hege – Life Coaching
Jeff Keyser – Director of Ministry & Operations
Royale Lowe – Administrative Assistant
Jaime Nanninga – Communications & Marketing
Linnea Shaw – Western Alaska Network Associate
TJ Smith – Spiritual Director
Caleb Szczepanski – Director of Facilities & Operations
Karl Thistle – Aarigaa House Manager (Anchorage)
Alex Tsakos – Director of Youth & Young Adults, First Covenant Anchorage
JD Tuell – Aarigaa House Manager (Soldotna)
James Ventress – Associate Pastor/Youth Ministry (Nome)
Drew William – Statewide Youth Ministry Network Director (Scammon Bay) Byron
Bruckner – Executive Director
Partnership & Team
Partnership with local churches and volunteers is at the heart of how CYAK operates. Our role is to come alongside congregations across Alaska to reach and disciple youth.
This past year, several CYAK staff—including Jeff Keyser, Jaime Nanninga, and Caleb Szczepanski—served directly in youth ministry at Community Covenant Church in Eagle River. These hands-on partnerships strengthen both local ministry and statewide collaboration.
Partnership takes many forms:
● Training and equipping volunteer youth leaders
● Mentoring and relational discipleship
● Coordinating Bible Camp, retreats and shared ministry events
● Collaborating with national and Native ministry partners
We are especially excited about partnerships with Native InterVarsity through the upcoming Would Jesus Eat Frybread?conference, as well as our involvement in the national Unite youth conference.
This work simply would not be possible without the many volunteers who faithfully invest in young lives across Alaska.
CYAK Programs
Intern Program
Our summer intern program continues to be a key leadership development pathway. Interns began their summer at the Next Gen Elders Retreat, where they engaged in spiritual formation, developed personal discipleship plans, and received leadership training.
Following Bible Camp, interns served throughout July at Chickaloon Retreat Center, supporting work teams and ministry efforts.
Looking ahead:
● 4 intern positions are funded again this summer
● Program dates: May 11 – July 27
● Applications due April 10
● Unalakleet confirmed as a host site
Covenant Bible Camp
Bible Camp is our significant summer outreach that launches ministry throughout the rest of the year. It is the beginning point for many kids as they begin to follow Jesus.
2025 Highlights:
● ~300 campers
● 125+ volunteers
● Theme: Anchored — Jesus is our Anchor
Nearly 290 youth encountered Jesus in meaningful ways—many beginning a relationship with Christ for the first time, while others deepened their faith.
In a world where teens average nearly 5 hours per day on social media, the relationships formed at camp—with Christ and with mentors—are life-shaping.
Looking Ahead (2026):
● Theme: Created
● Registration open for campers and volunteers
● Focus areas: administration, travel systems, Jr. Staff development, and transition-day improvements
Chickaloon Retreat Center (CRC)
Chickaloon continues to grow as a vital ministry hub.
This year:
● Hosted volunteer teams from across the U.S.
● Expanded capacity to house up to 50 guests
● Added major infrastructure (yurt, dock, shed, bunk beds)
With increased capacity, we anticipate expanded use by families and youth groups. We are also planning to add a sauna this summer, thanks to generous donors.
Road System Youth Events
CYAK launched several new regional events in partnership with local churches:
● Baldy & Burgers
● Eklutna Bike Adventure
● Kayaking Trip to Whittier
Fall Retreats at Chickaloon:
● High School Retreat: ~35 participants
● Middle School Retreat: ~47 participants
These gatherings continue to build community and deepen faith among youth on the road system.
Young Adult Ministry
Aarigaa Discipleship House
The Aarigaa House continues to be a highly effective model of intentional Christian community.
● 12 current residents
● 7 on the waiting list
● Monthly gatherings with ~30 young adults
Residents engage in discipleship, lead worship, and build Christ-centered community during a critical life stage.
We are currently exploring a significant opportunity in Fairbanks—a property near the university that could house up to 18 residents. This would greatly expand our reach but will require a major capital campaign.
Ongoing Young Adult Ministry
● Crossroads (Anchorage): 15–20 young adults weekly, led by Alex Tsakos/First Cov
● Pathways Discipleship Groups: ~10 participants led by Alex and Kristi/First Cov
● Fairbanks Group: Led by Aly Daniels/C3
● Student Life (Soldotna): JD Tuell strengthening partnerships and community across AEC & ACC campuses
Young Adult Retreats (YAR)
Fall and Winter retreats gathered approximately 70 participants at each retreat from across Alaska, continuing to provide meaningful space for connection, worship, and spiritual growth.
Rural Ministry
Western Alaska Basketball Camps
Through partnership with Elite Basketball and supporting churches, CYAK used sports as a ministry platform in Mekoryuk and Elim. Special thanks to Mike Alverts for his leadership on these camps.
These camps created powerful opportunities to connect with youth—especially those not currently connected to the church—and build on relationships formed at Bible Camp.
Special Koyuk and Shaktoolik Youth Ministry Trip
Since Bible Camp youth initiated gathering to sing Bible Camp songs for church. Grace and Don have helped significantly encourage the youth. They continue to gather weekly at the church to sing and grow in Jesus. In November, Mike Alverts and Nate Johnson spent a week of CYAK ministry in Koyuk. They had 2 youth dinners with over 20 youth who came (they love tacos!) Pastor Don offered to pray for people, they ended up praying for about 10 youth. Tears flowed. Prayers of faith and words of life. Thursday Night: about 18 youth came. Mike opened the church every morning before school at 8 AM and taught community Scripture reading. Pastor Don gave multiple pleas and reports of God moving among teens after Bible camp. The church board prayed, moved toward the students, and followed the Holy Spirit’s lead.
In January, Mike led a CYAK team to the Shaktoolik Get Together. Youth were coordinated to come from Koyuk to reach out to neighboring youth and encourage the church in Shaktoolik. This was a great opportunity for the Koyuk youth to share with their brothers and sisters.
These moments reflect the ongoing movement of God among youth in rural Alaska.
Typhoon Youth Outreach
In response to displaced youth following the recent typhoon, CYAK hosted two outreach events in Anchorage in partnership with Covenant and Moravian churches.
These events were well attended and demonstrated the Church working together in unity to care for youth in crisis.
Looking Ahead
Unite 27 (July 2027)
CYAK will lead Alaska’s participation in the national Unite Conference, providing coordination and support for youth across the state to attend this powerful gathering.
Would Jesus Eat Frybread? Conference (2027)
In partnership with Native InterVarsity and Native Cru, CYAK is helping bring this national Native young adult conference to Alaska.
True North Discipleship Experience
CYAK is partnering with leaders across the Covenant Church to develop a six-week discipleship experience for young adults, potentially launching in Alaska in summer 2027.
Closing
We are deeply encouraged by the ways God continues to move across Alaska—through local churches, rural communities, young adult ministries, and camp experiences. Lives are being transformed, leaders are being developed, and new opportunities are opening before us.
As we look ahead, we do so with faith, expectancy, and gratitude—for the partnerships, provision, and open doors God continues to provide.
KICY
MANAGER’S REPORT
What a privilege to serve the King at KICY. Time and time again this past year I have witnessed God’s provision and abundance in all aspects of this ministry.
The Studio Revitalization Project, Phase 1, began as hoped on June 1. From June 13 through the end of August a steady stream of volunteers, both church groups and individuals, came to Nome to get ‘er done. Over and over throughout the summer, God provided the people with the skills we needed. Nathan Nagaruk has been out overseeing contractor on the project and we could not have come close to doing this without him. One person found KICY online, heard about the project, and came for three months! Community Covenant in Eagle River came with a team then sent a few back a couple more times to assist. Our local school counselor and Nome Covenant member spent his summer vacation helping out at the job site almost daily. A local miner, who I have gotten acquainted with through our dogs, offered to mud and tape the entire building. He is not a believer, but had a skill he saw we needed and wanted to help. The funds have been available as well, though no longer in abundance This project has stretched us a little thin financially, but God is good and funds have been there when we needed them. As of this writing, we do not yet have occupancy, but expect it in the next month. KICY staff, local volunteers, and I continue to chip away at the remaining things that need done. Once we have occupancy, 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.
The Fall Salmon Fundraising Dinner Tour in October was quite ambitious. I think every Covenant Church that had ever considered hosting a dinner contacted me in the second week of February and within a week I had nine dinners scheduled for a two week time period. I’m not sure I will ever do that again! It only worked because five of the dinners were a two hour drive from each other in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The tour began in Kansas, then three dinners in Minnesota followed by two in Wisconsin. Then it was to Michigan, California and Colorado. Phew! Seriously, though, it is always good to share the ministry with both people who have known about KICY their entire lives and those who are hearing for the first time.
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 (2026) Nome didn’t have many home basketball games. That was actually a good thing as three of my announcers from last year moved out of Nome. A high school student stepped up this year and learned quite a bit from others. Hopefully he will be our go-to next year. Curtis Ivanoff was the Voice of the Arctic Broadcasting Sprots Network for many of the games played in Anchorage He also called the state 1A Tournament, and the final game of the 3A Tournament. 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.
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 4 in May, and Rhidian just turned 1. We are grateful this family has found a home in Nome and have no immediate plans to leave. 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 Tom King and has been invaluable in maintaining our ever-moredependent-on-technology equipment. He and his wife, Carlee, often host Wednesday mornings on the Breakfast Club, he is available to fill in for me when I am 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. Lena also processes donations. David Sobie hosts the Classical Choral program that airs Sunday mornings on the AM station. Pierce and Shaina Goslin cover one weekend a month and help with basketball in addition to being our host at the Brown House for people needing to use our basement apartment. In November, Jonathan Dentler joined our staff. He has committed his service for a year, and then will see what God says after that. He comes with significant radio/broadcast experience and has been a wonderful addition to our staff, cleverly and competently hosting afternoons on ICY 100.3 FM. He is also a talented audio editor.
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
Credentialing Report
License Renewals:
• Bi-Vocational License
o Stan Van Amburg
• Ministry Licenses
o James Barefoot
o Jeff Keyser
o Abel Razzo
o Tyler Shaw
o James Ventress
o Drew Williams
Recommendations for ordination:
• Lauren Thurston, OWSa
• Lynnette Boyer, OWSa
Y-K DELTA DELEGATE (CHOOSE 1)
Don Cross (Incumbent), Koyuk Covenant Church
My name is Don Cross. I’m originally from Elim Alaska. I grew up in the Covenant Church in Elim. My life changed as I was discipled in the Teen Challenge program in Palmer Alaska. Since then I have been a pastor for over 20 years in 5 different villages. I have served on the Alaska Conference Executive Board for the last three years and have a willingness to learn and participate in a way that will bring glory to Christ.
NORTON SOUND DELEGATE (CHOOSE 1)
Esther Brown, Mountain Village Evangelical Covenant Church
Hi. My name is Esther Brown from Mtn. Village. I serve on the Mtn. Village Covenant Church Board as Treasurer for a number of years. Served as a Sunday School Teacher also. I help Lloyd Alexie with the church services since we don’t have a minister yet. It has been a rewarding experience serving our Lord. I just got appointed to the Lower Yukon Covenant Conference Board and had served two terms on that board over the past 10 years. I work for the Lower Yukon School District as an Executive Secretary. I’m single, and have a son given away to adoption, and have one grandson. My mentor is my elderly aunt, Agnes Brown, who has inspired me to keep going to church and serve the Lord. I’m a prayer warrior, and love to pray with Bible verses. Thank you.
Edward Kiokun (Incumbent), Mekoryuk
Evangelical Covenant Church
Edward Ike Kiokun, was born in Anchorage, Alaska. He grew up and lives in Mekoryuk, Alaska. He is married to Beatrice Olrun-Kiokun for 17 years and they have 3 kids together. He served in the Mekoryuk Covenant Church for the past 13 years as a Sunday school teacher, youth group leader, and church board member. Currently, the Chair for the Mekoryuk Covenant Church and President of Mekoryuk Tribal Council. 2010 to CurrentContractor for the State of Alaska, and Transporter for Big Game Hunters on Nunivak Island. 2022 was first time my boys and I been to Bible camp in Unalakleet and we loved it!
ROAD SYSTEM DELEGATE (CHOOSE 1)
Brian Nanninga, Community Covenant Church
(Eagle River)
Brian Nanninga serves as Lead Pastor of Community Covenant Church in Eagle River, Alaska. He previously served as Associate Superintendent of the Alaska Conference and in senior leadership within the Evangelical Covenant Church, including church development and evangelism. Brian brings deep commitment to the people, churches, and communities of Alaska, along with broad experience in pastoral leadership, denominational service, and ministry collaboration. He is passionate about helping people follow Jesus and join God’s mission in the world. Brian is deeply grateful for his amazing wife, Jaime, their children Peyton, Caden, and Antoine, and their bonus daughter-in-law, Lily.
Alaska Conference Constitution and Bylaws
Summary of Proposed Amendments (2026)
The Executive Board’s proposed amendments fall into 4 categories:
1. Removal of “Covenant Bible Camp” from the list of Conference Affiliated Corporations (The Camp was officially transitioned to CYAK several years ago). -Bylaws Article VI, Section 6.1.a.iv
2. Removal of the need for Conference approval of Affiliate Corporation leaders’ compensation. This provision is not consistent with the Conference’s reserved powers as filed by and on record for any of our affiliate ministries (and we have not been doing this in any case). - Bylaws Article IV, Section 4.1.k.
3. Eliminating the requirements for written reports (unless requested) to the Executive Board and Annual Meeting for Conference Associations (Ministerial Association and Covenant Women). – Bylaws Article VI, Section 6.2.d and e.
4. Improving consistency in referencing key positions and groups (mostly by capitalizing these instances throughout the Constitution and Bylaws).
NOTE: Amendments to these documents requires advance notice as follows:
- Constitution – Article XIII - Amendments states in part :
o 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
- Bylaws – Article VII – Amendments states in part:
o Section 7.2.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.
o 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.
o Section 7.4. A proposed amendment shall be adopted upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the delegates
The documents presented at this year’s annual meeting (2026) will therefore serve as advance notice of amendments to be voted on at the 2027 Conference Annual Meeting.
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.
Come Alive…
I will put my breath in you and you will live. Then you will know I am the Lord. Ezekiel 37:6
Church Reports
(reports are in alphabetical order)
PO Box 828
Bethel, AK 99559
907 - 545 - 08 38
office@bethelcovenant.org
Submitting to the delegation by Eddie Haven e r, Board Chair
Church Board Members also include Kenan Marsan- Vice Chair, Phillip PerryTreasurer, Heather Stuart- Secretary, Martin Smith- Member at Large, also Susan Sookram- Member at Large
God’s Leading
Sunday Service is led by guest pastors and is successfully broadcast via Facebook. We have Prayer Meeting every first and third Monday 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 all our guest pastors 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 and organizing Sunday Worship Services, Katie Marsan for leading Women’s Bible Study, and Amanda West for taking charge over Friday Night Supper Club and all our Church Potlucks. We served as housing for disaster relief workers for Typhoon Halong and expect to house workers over the summer of 2026.
God has led us as we continue to search for our permanent pastor. We have conducted several interviews with candidates, but none have felt the calling to come to Bethel. We have posted a job position on Indeed and have had an overwhelming number of applicants apply for the job. We are in the process of weeding through
the applications and hope that, with God’s will, we will find the person that God has planned to lead this church.
The Past Year
Over the course of this year, we are in the process of adding new members to our congregation. We have struggled financially since Adam London’s departure but our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ remains strong and steadfast. Despite 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.
C3 Fairbanks Church
Loving God, Loving People through connecting, cultivating and commissioning 2136 McCullum Ave Ph. (907) 456-6553
Fairbanks, AK 99701
office@c3fairbanks.com www.c3fairbanks.com
2025 Church Report:
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
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 2026 AK Conference Meeting
Submitted by Pastor Ben Schoffmann
Leadership Team: Gage Stair (Chair), Kevin Martin (Vice Chair), Wes Yenter (Financial Officer), Tina Stair (Secretary), JoAnne Noyles, Walter Pittman, Troy Foote
Pastors: Ben Schoffmann, Walter Pittman
C3 has been blessed with moderate growth this year, but we remain a small fellowship, with a big heart, and an even bigger mission. We work closely with many kingdom partners as we seek God’s glory and neighbor’s good.
• Associate Pastor Walter Pittman works full-time with Engage Your Destiny, a Christian-based military ministry, but remains with C3.
• Several volunteers have stepped up to jointly lead children’s ministry this year.
• Blaise Boyer served with C3 as a summer intern, and his brother Caden is currently serving part-time in kids and youth ministry.
• We have 2 weekly home groups, a men’s group, a prayer team, and after school ministry 2-3 days per week. Monthly Family Services include food and fellowship.
• We hosted a Good News Club at our facility this fall, but have transitioned it to Safe Harbor where there are far more children who need to hear about Jesus.
• We hosted 12 full-time and several part-time mission teams this past summer to do park ministry (our 12th year) and neighbor projects. We also erected a greenhouse at C3’s community garden on the nearby empty lot we purchased several years ago
• Our outreach to Safe Harbor transitional housing is strengthening. We served over 200 Thanksgiving meals this fall, the 5th year of this outreach (with a Rotary partner).
• Our Muldoon Elementary School partnership has also regained momentum.
• We diverted our legacy Christmas shoebox outreach to a new location - Scammon Bay Covenant Church - providing gift items to set up a “Christmas store” where village residents could come and shop for kids.
• With Bruce Kovarik’s leadership, C3 helped 75 low-income families through the VITA Income Tax preparation. It was our 4th year of the program, the only one in the city.
• C3 provided over $50,000 of services to mission friends through free use of our Unity Center for lodging and vehicle use.
• We disbursed thousands of dollars to family and friends in need from our C3 Cares.
• C3 has set up an affiliated non-profit organization, The STAFF, to serve at-risk teens and their families by helping youth make good choices to succeed in school and life.
• C3 is exploring the potential to construct a facility for our church gatherings and to do youth ministry on our Community Garden lot. Praise God for partners and donors who are lining up to help make this a real possibility.
We earnestly seek to live out our core values - Pray continuously, Love unconditionally, Obey sacrificially, and Worship joyfully (PLOW). We appreciate and depend on the faithful and God-honoring support of our church family and partners as we continue our mission to Love Christ, Love our Church, and Love our Community.
C3 Anchorage Annual Report; February, 2026
Love Christ, Love our Church, Love our Community
Community Covenant Church
Alaska Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church 2026 Annual Meeting Church Report
Contact Information
Address: 16123 Artillery Rd, Eagle River, AK 99577
Phone: 907-696-5229
Email: info@communitycovenant.com
Website: https://www.communitycovenant.net/
Submitted by: Robert Schnell
Church Board Members
Alicia Holmgren, Ryan Zachry, Heidi Porter, Randy Kee, Kathleen Adams, Tommy Gerlach, Natalie Berryman
Grateful for Faithful Interim Leadership
2025 began with Community Covenant in an interim season, and we are deeply grateful for the work of Randy Hoffbeck during that time. Randy brought steady, caring leadership to our congregation and helped us remain focused on what matters most while we navigated the transition. His presence was a genuine gift, provided stability, and the church was well-served by his faithfulness.
Welcoming a New Lead Pastor
One of the most significant milestones of 2025 was the hiring of Brian Nanninga as our new Lead Pastor. After a careful and prayerful search process, Brian joined our staff and has brought vision, energy, and pastoral depth to Community Covenant. We are grateful for how God guided this process and for the way Brian has stepped into leadership.
Welcoming a new lead pastor is always a significant transition for a congregation. We have been encouraged by how our church family has embraced this new chapter with openness and grace.
Meaningful Growth and a Second Service
Throughout 2025, Community Covenant experienced meaningful growth. New families came, and people who had stepped away began returning. We are careful not to simply celebrate numbers, but the growth we saw reflected something real: people are finding their way to a community of faith, and many of them are encountering the gospel for the first time or returning to it after time away.
In response to that growth, we launched a second worship service. This was not a small step. It required our staff and volunteers to stretch significantly, and we are grateful for everyone who gave their time and energy to make it work. Our prayer is that both services continue to be places where people genuinely encounter God and find belonging.
Entering 2026 with Gratitude
As we close the chapter on 2025, we are aware that God has been at work in ways we did not fully plan for or expect. We entered the year in a season of transition and are ending it with a new pastor, a growing congregation, and expanded capacity to serve our community.
We are grateful to be part of this conference and thankful for the encouragement and prayer of our sister churches throughout the year. We look forward to continuing to walk together in mission across Alaska.
Community Covenant Church | Eagle River, AK | communitycovenant.net
First Evangelical Church of Anchorage
For the AK Conference 2025 Annual Summary Report
Contact Information: 1145 C Street, Anchorage AK 99501 907-277-3322, office@anchoragefirstcovenant.com www.anchoragefirstcovenant.com
Submitted to the delegation by: Criss Mitchell, Senior Pastor Board Members:
Andrea Wilson, Chair
Nancy Hjelm, Secretary
Karen Bronczyk Vice Chair Birch Boyer
Gwen Anagick Criss Mitchell, ex Officio
Nate Oberlee, Financial Officer Karl Thistle
2025 has been another year with significant challenges and events, but more importantly a year in which God has done amazing things within the body of his church. The rising costs of goods and utilities has been financial challenging, but praise God, through faithful and sacrificial giving, we have ended the year in the “black.” This is even including an unexpected change in insurance carriers that increased our premiums over $16,000. We should also acknowledge all the board and staff members who stepped up and kept a night watch over the building for the week we did not have building insurance their faithful care to be good stewards of what God has provided is inspirational. Also, several people made generous contributions including purchasing a new computer when ours was stolen, volunteering to keep the church parking lot plowed and sanded, and significant donations to the Blessing School in Madagascar.
This year we partnered with Mountain View Hope and Chugach Covenant Church to host the 2025 Alaska Conference Annual Meeting. Through the efforts of Board Chair, Andrea Wilson, and Pastor Kristi’s coordinating, it went off without a hitch. It was an incredibly rich and rewarding time to gather with representatives from Covenant churches all over Alaska in praise, worship, learning, prayer, and to discuss the business of the Church. Many folks expressed gratitude for hosting.
Most wonderful of all, we have continued to share the love of God to our friends and neighbors. We have continued the trend of having multiple believers’ baptisms as people have felt lead to respond to the Lord. We have had 13 men and women join our church as members. Our services and ministries have been growing Youth Group is packed and full of energy, Crossroads and Pathways (the Young Adult ministries), are overfilling the homes they meet in, and Children Church is bursting at the seams. And when we hosted this year’s Newcomer’s Dinner this fall, we identified 32 families and/or individuals that had started coming in 2025 (this has led us to prayerfully consider offering a Newcomer’s Dinner twice a year instead of annually).
And last on a personal note, I am grateful to First Covenant for the Sabbatical that I was able to take this Summer. Though it was an amazing time of healing and restoring, the time has really allowed me to connect with how broken I am and how desperately I need Jesus. So coming home, I have been trying to prioritize my own journey of mental, physical, and spiritual health, so that I may better serve the church community as pastor and a fellow believer trying to love the Lord Jesus Christ with all my heart, mind, soul, and body and to love my neighbor as myself. I am grateful for all those who prayed and supported this opportunity.
Hooper Bay Covenant Church March 2026 PO Box 527 Hooper Bay, Alaska 99604
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Grace and peace to you through God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! God has been so gracious to us over the last year, and we are thankful for the prayer and support of so many of you. Praise be to God! Last April we started the installation of our new solar electric system on the church building. This project included a number of additions throughout the year, and was finally finished in November. Titus Mease from MARC was instrumental in helping us accomplish this project. His electrical knowledge and partnership was a huge blessing to us! For the first year, we cut our electric bills by 65%, and due to the upgrades in November, this coming year we expect to have no electric bill anymore! This is an $8-$10k savings each year! This is such a blessing for us and will help to lift some of the financial burden that the expensive utilities bring. This summer, we plan to purchase a bulk fuel tank for the church. It will allow us to purchase and store fuel directly from the barge, and therefore, significantly lower our heating costs as well.
We continue to use the church building as one of the official community shelters. We are working with the City and the Tribe to have better systems in place in order to be well prepared for any community emergency where shelter is needed. In preparation for another strong storm last fall, we sheltered many families during the time of storm. Thankfully the storm wasn’t as strong as predicted in our area, but other neighboring villages in the delta were not as fortunate. We are grateful to be able to help serve the community in this way.
Regarding our church body this year; we had an additional two people join our church partnership. It is such a blessing to see others commit to the body of Christ. In addition, it has been a blessing to have Alfred and David help share messages in church services when needed. We also have another full time disciple-maker and youth worker living here in Hooper Bay. Judah Owen is now serving with our church. He is originally from Michigan and sensed God’s leading to Hooper Bay to serve more long-term after doing a 9-month internship with us a couple of years ago. We are blessed to have him join the church body in Hooper Bay. Over the last year, we have been shifting some of our focus as we work with the youth. We decided to reduce the hours that we run our Teen Center and use that time to start a youth group. David and Judah are working on that together. They have a couple teenagers faithfully coming, and are praying that God would continue to grow that group, both numerically and spiritually.
We have been running the Teen Center ministry for the last 18 years. The Teen Center ministry is still a major part of our weekly schedule, but we are also looking for more effective ways to minister to young people in our village. Housing is a large issue in many villages, and Hooper Bay is no different. As we look to meet the needs of young people, we have identified that there is a need for some healthy transitional housing. Housing that will serve young people as they seek to have a place of their own and yet grow in a Christian community. Due to this need, our youth ministry is looking to start a housing project to build living space for young people and youth worker volunteers in our village. Our vision is to have more housing for young people who want to be discipled and engaged in ministry. We are planning to build a duplex over the next two summers and are trusting God for the funding, work teams and wisdom for this project.
As we reflect on the past year, we are both humbled and challenged. Humbled by God’s great grace and kindness toward us, and by the many ways He has provided for our needs and desires. Our circumstances remind us that our sufficiency is in Him alone; without His mercy we could do nothing. We are also challenged. The needs within the local body are great, and the need for light in the darkness around us is greater still. These realities remind us that the work is not done the gospel must continue to go forth, and we must press on in the faith. As we look to the year ahead, we seek the Lord’s help. We rely on Him through the Spirit to open people's eyes, to instill a vision for discipleship among this community of believers, and to bring the much needed and desired spiritual growth in our church. Above all, we are looking forward to eternity with our King. May His grace carry us home!
Patrick McLean
David Smart Jr.
Koyuk Covenant Church
The Koyuk Covenant Church holds services:
● Sunday School 10am
● Morning service 11am
● Choir practice 2pm
● Evening service 7pm
● Tuesday we have prayer group in different homes each week.
● Wednesday we have Bible study at the church 7pm.
● Thursday we have youth group at 7pm at the church.
We have seen steady growth in the main body over the last year. We also started a youth group that birthed out of many of young people being ‘touched’ by Bible camp. There’s usually 12-15 attending, but sometimes up to 30 youth. They have become quite active in ministering to the community in different ways. The also made a trip to Shaktoolik for our annual get-together.
We have had the passing of some of our blessed elders, as well as community members, with our church consistently ministering to those that are grieving. We look forward to what the Lord will do in this next year.
Mat-Su Evangelical Covenant Church
Alaska Conference Annual Report
February 22, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters of our Alaska Conference,
Greetings from Mat-Su Covenant Church. The following is our report on behalf of the Council and congregation of Mat-Su.
It has been a challenging season for our church. We have lost several long-time members for various reasons. Giving is down and fewer people are giving. To better align the budget with giving, we cut the 2026 approved budget from the previous year by over 20%, a reduction of slightly over $50,000. Pastoral staff have received pay cuts and ministry teams have been gutted. Giving to budget is not yet keeping pace with the new reductions, but the deficit has improved.
The area with the fewest cuts was missions. Our church is not healthy, but we are doing our best to remain missional. We are thankful that we can still provide monthly giving to:
The Evangelical Covenant Church of America (Restrepos)
The Alaska Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church
Amundsen Educational Center
Covenant Youth of Alaska
Our Village Outreach Pastor
Our church is uniquely Alaskan. We are akutaq. Mat-Su Covenant is intergenerational and intercultural, urban and rural, traditional and modern. In our humble opinion, what we have at Mat-Su is special and worth continuing.
At the request of Council, our Senior Pastor submitted his resignation today. His last day in the pulpit will be April 12. Please pray that we turn our eyes and hearts to Jesus, that we work hard to improve the soil of our church, its people and our community so that the many seeds that have been planted in us can produce a harvest many times what has been sown.
Quyana, Mike Swanson, Chair
Chris Thurman, Vice-Chair
Fran Farrelly, Treasurer
Becka Lopez, Secretary
Diana Betzold
Barry Dorman
Steve Hawk
Jynnie Matteson
ECC Core Values:
Authentic Community
Flourishing Families
Heartfelt Worship & Prayer
Loving Like Jesus
Spirit-Led Living
Transformed Lives
Walking in Truth
Mekoryuk Covenant Church Annual Report
PO Box 34 Mekoryuk AK 9960
907 827 2070
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 Beatrice Olrun Kiokun
2025 brought both great joys and sorrows to Mekoryuk Covenant Church. I can say with confidence that our community has been faithful in both our grieving and rejoicing in this past year. Faithful to continue to look to God, faithful to serve, faithful to love and to bring both our highlights and our hardships before the Lord.
We continue to grieve the loss of five dear community members in 2025. We grieve the losses of Bertha Andrew, a dear elder living in Anchorage; Esther Shavings, an elder living in Mekoryuk who always reminded us of God’s abiding love; Jo-Judy Weston, a beautiful young woman with strong community ties; Sam Shavings, a beloved church member and musician; and Albert Williams, a church board member, musician, and our tribal president. The loss of each of these individuals has been greatly grieved by our community, as too has been the tragic circumstances of the deaths of Albert and Sam, who were lost in a boating accident while hunting in May 2025. While we greatly rejoice that Albert’s son Ethan survived this accident and that both Albert and Sam’s bodies were recovered and laid to rest, we also hold the weight of great grief and loss in our community. There is not one person that has not been touched by death in our village this year.
As such, much of our ministry has been in presence, pastoral counseling, and planning and hosting funerals and/or memorial services for all five of these individuals and their families. To that end, we are particularly grateful for the service of Pastor Heather Smith, who provided interim pastoral care during the summer season when I needed to attend to family commitments. I am also immensely grateful for the men and women of Mekoryuk who gave sacrificially of their time and resources to ensure that the details of these services were sorted and that search and rescue activities were as thorough as possible, sometimes at great personal risk. While there are far too many to name here, the Lord sees and honors each of their efforts, as do I.
Alongside great grief has also come great joy. We celebrated the dedication of Kip Williams and hosted a very beautiful Island Jubilee in the Spring. We sent children from our community to Bible camp, and hosted events by CYAK and CEF for our youth. We continue to have a successful and faithful Sunday school program, and we continue to gather in worship on Sundays and for Bible studies throughout the week. We had a particularly meaningful Christmas program and holiday celebration.
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 Melanie Shavings, Xenia Sergie Shavings, Carol Peterson, Daniel Olrun Jr, Marianne Williams, Beatrice Kiokun, Lisa King, and Tom Amos; our facilities manager George Williams; my Women’s Bible Study co-leaders Xenia Sergie Shavings and Lydia Weston; Men’s Bible Study leader Devin Thurston; and my coyouth group leader Devin Thurston.
We praise God that He has sustained us and carried us through 2025, and we look forward to His continued faithfulness to us in the years to come.
Mountain View Hope Annual Report January 2026
One year ago, I wrote to you with honesty about the fragile state of Mountain View Hope. We were faithful, present, and deeply committed to our neighborhood but sustainability felt uncertain, and the future was unclear. I am profoundly grateful to share that we are now in a very different place.
Mountain View Hope has stabilized as a church community. This did not happen quickly, easily, or through any particular breakthrough moment. Rather, it has come through steady faithfulness, a deepening commitment to our mission, and the quiet but unmistakable work of God among us.
Over the past year, we have leaned into who we believe God has called us to be. We have centered our life together around worship, shared meals, and tangible service to our neighbors. Each Sunday, we gather for worship and provide a hot breakfast, creating space not only for nourishment but for dignity, relationship, and belonging. We have also begun regularly distributing food and clothing to those in need within our community.
One of the most meaningful shifts I have witnessed is this: the ministry that was once carried largely by me, as pastor, is now being carried by the church. Much of our direct outreach bringing food, clothing, and care to unhoused neighbors primarily rested with me. Today, our congregation is actively and collectively meeting those needs. Mountain View Hope is no longer simply supporting the community through their pastor’s presence; it is becoming a church of the community through shared, embodied ministry. I could not be more proud of who God is shaping us into
This renewed sense of shared mission has been accompanied by encouraging financial developments. While we continue to live simply and depend on generosity, our financial constraints have improved. We have seen renewed investment from individuals and partners who believe in the long-term future of Mountain View Hope. This has allowed us to live more missionally and to continue dreaming well beyond just “existing”.
As a result, we are currently engaged in a substantial effort to discern and develop a plan for a Mountain View Hope Center a space that would serve both our neighborhood through hospitality, care, and presence. While this vision is still unfolding, it represents a hopeful step forward and a sign of growing confidence in God’s provision and calling.
We remain a small church, but we are a hopeful one. We see the hand of God at work in our worship, in our service, in our relationships, and in our renewed sense of purpose. We do not take this season for granted. Every step forward still requires faith, but it is now faith marked by expectation instead of fear.
2026 Alaska Conference Church Annual Report—Nome Covenant Church 2/19/26
Nome Covenant Church 907-443-2565 nomecovenant@gmail.com
PO Box 657
Nome, AK 99762
FaceBook group page: Nome Covenant Church Community
Lead Pastor: Open. Currently in search process.
Associate Pastor of Youth: James Ventress
Our Why Statement:
“We engage with our neighbor so that we serve our community in practical ways so that we all can experience the transforming love of Jesus.”
2026 Leadership Team Members:
• Nora Nagaruk, Chair
• Peter Hansen, Vice Chair
• Aaron Brown, Financial OWicer
• Heather Sobie, Secretary
• George Bard, Financial Secretary
• Martha Parker
• Pierce Goslin
• Jayson Christner
• James Ventress, Advisory
Pastor Mike Zabel retired July 15, 2025, after 44+ years in ministry with his last five being in Nome. In the spring he created and led a “Ministering from Our Why” workshop to help us implement our why statement which we had identified during the “Finding Our Why” workshop in Fall 2024 with Mary Hendrikson. This fostered a new sense of unity and purpose and prepared us for the current season without a pastor. It also fueled the newest ministry, AWANA, which takes many volunteers to reach our community ’s children with God’s word. Since July we often remind each other, “This is Jesus’s church.”
In addition to the occasional out- of-town guest preachers, God has blessed us with congregants who have various levels of training and experience in preaching. We have been able to function in a healthy way, as long as we all use our gifts whether it’s preaching, teaching, administration, building maintenance, financial management, prayer, cooking, hospitality, caring for youth, cleaning, shoveling, technology know-how, singing, playing an instrument, casting creative and visionary ideas, or discerning truth and wisdom. Keeping our ears in tune to the Spirit and our eyes focused on Christ, the head of our body, has been key.
Submitted by Nora Nagaruk, Leadership Team Chair
Scammon Bay Covenant Church Report for the 2026 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, and Jacob Rivers.
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.
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.
The Calricaraq group from the Yukon Kuskoquim Health Corporation in Bethel flew to our village the end of May and led a two day workshop on Yupik cultural teachings that included some of our village elders share information about how to hunt and properly care for animals that are caught for our food. Older youth in our village were encouraged to take part in the making of white fish nets and how to prepare white fish as part of a meal we shared together at the end of the last day. It was encouraging to listen to a workshop leader and our elders thank God for His provision in our daily lives.
Our church was blessed by a work team lead by Jeffery Spang of Arctic Barnabas Ministries located in Soldotna that helped Pastor Jason complete a number of projects during the middle of August.
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 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. During the last weekend of March, the Lord provided for our choir and church members to meet up with the Mountain Village Covenant Church members for a great time of encouragement and fellowship with the Hooper Bay Covenant Church, who served as excellent 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.
Alaska Conference Annual Meeting 2026
Shaktoolik Covenant Church Report
Shaktoolik Covenant Church has four board members.
Harvey Sookiayak is Chairman
Betty Jackson is Treasurer
Nora Paniptchuk is Secretary
Gary Bekoalok is member
We praise the Lord for His provisions for our church since Annual Meeting 2025.
The Alabama ministry team came up for their 4th summer of ministry and were a great blessing and encouragement to our community. We plan for them to return this coming summer.
We lost an elder who served our church for many years. Fena Sagoonick will be greatly missed. We have many precious memories of her and Palmer’s decades of church leadership and ministry in their hometown of Shaktoolik.
August 15 our Pastor James Barefoot arrived and began his ministry for the winter. Pastor James is with us 10 months a year. He has served our church for 2 winters now.
Our Christmas and New Years celebrations went well.
Our first tragedy of the winter was the disseverance of one of our High School graduates who was on her way to Alaska Christian College for second semester. Kelly Hunt has been missing for over 3 months now and this has really grieved our community.
We hosted a January Shaktoolik/Koyuk Get-together on January 22-25. Mike Alverts was our special speaker and other villages attended.
Immediately after Get-together, Clint and Aleigha Daniels arrived from Alabama to do Youth and Women’s ministry. They and Mike Alverts of CYAK worked together for one week before Mike returned home.
Clint and Aleigha continued their ministry in Shaktoolik until March 6.
We are excited to report that Clint and Aleigha believe God is calling them to spend more ministry time in Shaktoolik. They will be our Youth and Women’s ministers for 6 months of winter 26-27. We praise God for this answer to prayer and look forward to the Daniels return.
We enjoyed attending the Koyuk/Shaktoolik Easter Get-together hosted by Koyuk April 3-5.
Our final tragic loss was the death or one of our young men in a house fire in Koyuk. Trevor Savetilik will be greatly missed. Please pray for the deep grief and loss our community continues to go through over tragedy among our young people.
We praise the Lord for his protection and provision over the past year!
Unalakleet Evangelical Covenant Church
P.O. Box 209 Unalakleet, AK 99684 www.unalakleetcovenantchurch.org unkpastor@gmail.com
Pastor Report January 8th, 2026
Greetings, brothers and sisters in Christ,
We began this year with a prayer model learned at the conference annual meeting. The intention was to seek the Lord for direction that would greatly impact our community with the Gospel. The model of “Pray for eyes to see what is happening, then ask God what He wants done, faithfully listen for His direction, and then act when He provides discernment and direction.” This model for seeking the Lord has helped our congregation respond to the desperate need for the healing and restoring love of Christ.
The last year has seen many seasons. Some experienced great joy in marriage and baptism, while others experienced great lament and sorrow. The loss of Bering Air Flight 445 on February 6, 2025, was felt by many in our community, Western Alaska, and abroad. It has given a sense of urgency to share a firm foundation in Jesus as our hope, life, and Salvation. Peter wrote in his first Epistle, “For all flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.”
In response to prayers for assistance in navigating tragedy and trauma, the Lord provided a means to partner with Lutheran Indian Ministries (LIM). Their team of 5 came after many Zoom meetings and hosted a cohort to navigate the biblical response to trauma. Many attended the class and found it to be of great benefit in dealing with the weight of grief and traumatic past events. We thank the Lord for their ministry and the conference for providing support during the incredibly difficult season.
Praying for what He wants done led to the opportunity to partner with the Native Village of Unalakleet's Victim Advocate office to provide critical emergency housing for persons in need. Since partnering with NVU, we have utilized church facilities to provide safe housing for many individuals in critical need. This ministry is part of a long-standing tradition of the church being a sanctuary for those in need, where they can find protection in the house of the Lord. We pray the Lord continues to bless our community in the Church’s faithfulness.
Early in the summer, a team from the Evangelical Covenant Church’s MERGE ministries came to help with projects at the church and at the Marvin "Muktuk" Marston farm. Their shared effort with our trustees led to many Church projects being accomplished. The team helped prepare the field before the planting season, examined the bell tower, sorted all the rummage, spring-cleaned the church and auditorium, and assessed the church for future projects. This allowed our trustees to get the church painted and complete many repairs. Most importantly, it was a wonderful time of fellowship and building long-lasting relationships within the body of Christ.
We give great thanks to the Lord for our sisters in Christ who led our church to bring life in Christ through Singspirations, Cantata, funeral support, and many other areas. The Unalakleet
Sewing Circle continues make the love of Christ felt in our community. Especially with assisting families who struggled with benefits being frozen during the federal government shutdown and helping with camper scholarships. This past year, we were blessed to send over 50 youth from Unalakleet and neighboring villages because of their generosity and effort. Their effort shows a deep love for Christ and is a great credit to the Gospel's power and compassion. We are very grateful to all who serve the body and ask the Lord to bless them, especially those who are seen only by the Lord.
In December, Aly and Evans came for a visit and helped with youth programming, tuned our sound system, and supported the Bible study for high school-age young women. It was a great pleasure to have help with the youth, and the need for an intern/pastor/youth worker remains a priority for our congregation. Our Check Point ministry served nearly 1500 meals for youth in our community. After December, we will sunset Check Point as an event geared toward youth only. We hope to host meals open to the church’s families that will help connect new families with those who have deep roots in Christ. We have seen an increase in new and returning families, which has raised our weekly attendance to around 60-70 people on Sunday. Many have young children, and each Sunday Service is seeing an average of 15-20 youth. Our prayer is to incorporate more families into the membership fabric of the church and help them grow into serving in the body of Christ through community
In Christ,
Abel Board Member Committee
Wes Jones Trustee
Board Title
Heidi Ivanoff Diaconate Vice Chair
Kami Webster Christian Education
Tim Daniels Trustee Chair
Abel Razzo Pastor
Funerals: Baptisms:
Talaluk ‘TK” Katchatag 2/20/25
Nilson Mixsooke on 3/6/25
Peter Jackson 8.11.25
Hilda Ganon 8.20.25
Lawrence M. Etageak 9.30.25
Ambrose "Bing" Towarak 12.16.26
Elizabeth Jessie Anagick (Betty) 12.29.25
Sherilee Ivanoff 6.1.25
Amira Jack 6.29.25
Roger Nanouk 6.24.25
Weddings: Wayne Kotongan and Laura Jackson 5/25/25.
