YOUR SUPPORT AT WORK Encouragement Through Community Building up young people in their faith BY HANNAH PALMER
March 2020
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t is a healing comfort to know you are not alone. Alaskans treasure moments to be reminded of this truth given the vastness of the state.
experiences and life lessons. These lessons are really impacting my life. It is uplifting knowing I am not the only one going through these hardships.”
This year a panel was invited to answer Twice a year Covenant Youth of Alaska questions that students submitted. hosts young adults from all over the The topics ranged from how to have a state to speak a message of solidarity healthy spiritual life, to how to grieve, and hope in Christ in a tangible and to what it means to be Indigenous and lasting way. Away from distractions follow Christ. and in a new setting, everyone who attends receives refreshment through activities, speakers, and “It is uplifting knowing I fellowship. Kaylea “Buff” Brink from Kasigluk attended her second Young Adult Retreat in February.
am not the only one going through these hardships.”
“I love the Young Adult Retreat Olympic (YARO) games and the Native Youth Olympics events. I like how we were all together and laughing. The games bring us closer,” Buff shared. The games foster relationships where words and input have a strong impact. “My favorite part of the retreats are the speakers and how they share their
“I like how Indigenous the panel was. I liked hearing experiences from each culture and learning how to be Native and be a Christian. It is hard for some of us,” Buff expressed. Corey Greaves from the Yakama nation and founder of Mending Wings was on the panel where he shared how worship
can look for Natives. His words left an impression on Buff. “I’m really passionate about Native dancing and my Yup’ik culture. Corey talked about how you could take a regular set of drums, take the bass drum, start pounding on it, and sing in your native tongue.” Spaces like the Young Adult Retreat invigorate ministry sites and individuals as they see a network of believers across the nation wrestling with the same topics and faithfully building one another up. “The Young Adult Retreat will change your life - the fellowship with all the people and being in that environment with Christian people who speak life into you when you’re at your lowest. There is such a closeness. We are there for each other. Thank you to all the people that gave money to make the retreat possible for students who don’t have the financial means. Thank you!”
CONTINUE YOUR IMPACT TODAY You are a part of the team that God has called together to impact youth and young adults in Alaska. Thank you! For more information how to make a gift, please follow the link below.
www.cyak.org/donate
COVENANT YOUTH OF ALASKA A relational outreach, discipleship and leadership ministry for Alaska youth and young adults
Website www.cyak.org Email info@cyak.org Phone 907-222-1432