Covenant Youth of Alaska Discipleship of a Lifetime Transformation Happens Through Steadfast Relationship
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Volume 16 | Issue 1 February 2020
s a kid growing up in Unalakleet, Alaska, Jonathan Hanson regularly attended CYAK programming. Events like Fall Blast and Covenant Bible Camp opened doors for Jonathan to build connections with the CYAK network.
life for much of his adolescence, walked with Jonathan through this difficult season in his young adult life.
One of these connections was with his local youth leader at the time, Tyler Johnson. His relationship with Tyler continued even after Jonathan moved to Anchorage for college.
“CYAK put their collective foot forward to walk me through this season by offering John Hege to give me life-coaching. It was a healthy transition out of the heaviness of not knowing how to proceed. It was pivotal. Without that, getting to the healthy place I am now would have been unlikely.”
“Through all the CYAK events that took place, Tyler and I built a friendship,” Jonathan shared. “It was during the Young Adult Retreats that we started to talk more about taking parts of our spiritual growth more seriously.”
Scholarship money, provided through gifts from generous CYAK partners, allowed Jonathan to access professional services to help him navigate through the challenging season.
Jonathan’s life serves as a beautiful example of what it means to give out of gratitude for all that you have received. As he found health, he turned around and started to pour into youth and young adults.
While in college Jonathan participated in Aarigaa where he was given opportunities to lean into his calling as a In October 2019, Jonathan returned to Unalakleet for Fall worship leader. This resulted in Blast, however, this time as a worship Jonathan moving to Palmer to help leader. “It is incredible how lead worship at MatSu Covenant “When I look back it is incredible to see involved CYAK has been Church. Shortly after, Jonathan hit how involved CYAK has been through turblence in his personal life. through my entire life.” my entire life. And now I get to be a “Things went south in a real heavy part of influencing the youth of Alaska way and it all took place very in a leadership capacity with the very people who helped me quickly. When the crisis happened, Tyler, without hesitation, become that leader. Super cool! was immediately there and available. The family of God, the I want to do what I can to use the gifts that I have been people of CYAK, were there to catch me when I fell hard.” given to be involved in Kingdom work, and that is what The same youth leader who had been present in Jonathan’s CYAK is doing.”
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS
Connecting in Chicago
Camp Season is Approaching!
Aarigaa Broomball
CYAK represented at the Covenant Church’s annual “Midwinter” retreat. Praise God for this time of connection and refreshment!
Covenant Bible Camp dates have been announced. Please keep this season in your prayers, for both campers and staff as they prepare.
Praise God for the opportunity for Aarigaa Anchorage and MatSu to connect over the fun and laughter of Broomball.
Jonathan sharing his testimony at Fall Blast in Unalakleet
When you give, you make it possible for youth and young adults to step into opportunities where they are challenged and encouraged as leaders and as followers of Christ.
Quyana, thank you. www.cyak.org/donate
“CYAK has given me an opportunity to grow, not only in my faith, but as a leader. I didn’t realize that until... just now.” Sam Cross | Nome, AK To read more, visit: www.cyak.org/ministry-updates
A relational outreach, discipleship and leadership ministry for Alaska youth and young adults A ministry of the Alaska Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church
Website www.cyak.org Email info@cyak.org Phone 907-222-1432