THRIVE Going the Distance...
DECEMBER 2024
Hi CYAK Team,
Mary Helwig’s journey is a remarkable example of passion and perseverance. After graduating from college, Mary moved to Alaska to serve with CYAK, living in the village of Unalakleet and working with youth. Her deep heart for the young people in Alaska continues today, as she now serves as a CYAK board member. During her time in Alaska, Mary also learned the art of dog mushing, which eventually led her to compete in the Iditarod—a grueling 1,000-mile sled dog race through Alaska’s wilderness.
The Iditarod holds many parallels to the challenges our youth face. Just like navigating the races treacherous terrain, young people encounter difficult decisions and life storms that can feel overwhelming. Without a guide or mentor, it’s easy to lose the trail. CYAK steps in as that guide, sharing Christ through our lives and committing to walking with young people over time. Whether the path is stormy or clear, CYAK is here to help youth go the distance.
This mission is not a sprint—it’s about perseverance, endurance, and faithfulness. Jesus promises us that He will never leave us or forsake us. God gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us, entering into the storms and dark places of life alongside us.
When a dog team works together in harmony, it’s an awe-inspiring experience— cruising over snow and ice with strength and purpose. Similarly, when youth engage in the body of Christ, they experience the Christian community that offers strength and support. Together, they can face life’s challenges with confidence and hope and THRIVE!
We are so thankful for you—yes, YOU—being a part of our CYAK [Dog] Team. Your unwavering support enables us to go the distance, walking alongside Alaska’s youth with Christ’s love. Thank you for running with us and for helping us accomplish this mission for his Kingdom!
Gratefully,
Byron Bruckner Ex. Director
Our goal is to raise $200,000 throughout the month of December, and we’re thrilled to share that a lead dog donor has already given $75,000! We invite you to consider your position on the team: are you a lead dog, swing dog, team dog, or wheel dog? Would you stretch as a swing dog with a special gift this year, or perhaps become a wheel dog by giving monthly? Your support helps us go the distance!
Mary Helwig and her dog team
Mekoryuk is a village on a remote island in Western Alaska with about 190 residents. Most people there live a heavily subsistence lifestyle, hunting and gathering for their livelihood. This is where CYAK had the joy of helping to facilitate a youth retreat in late November. There are about 26 junior high and high school students in Mekoryuk, and over the retreat weekend 20+ of them participated in two days of Scriptural teaching, mental health workshops, worship, crafts, games and meals. Pastor Lauren Thurston of Mekoryuk Covenant Church is immensely grateful for the CYAK team who flew to Mekoryuk to make this weekend happen.
She shared this reflection on the weekend with us:
When I dreamed about leading a fall retreat for our students that focused on their worth and value in Christ while incorporating useful mental health skills, I knew that I would need support to make it a reality. CYAK sent a plane of incredible leaders from throughout the state of Alaska to be that team. I am deeply grateful for CYAK’s partnership - they made the fullness of my hopes and dreams possible.
Special events like retreats can be ebenezer moments for us - moments where God moves, moments that we can remember and see God’s faithfulness throughout our lives. The CYAK team’s leadership and care created space for students to meet with God in fresh ways. We had students attend the retreat who have never attended youth group and now are more curious about Jesus. We had students share vulnerably in small groups, letting others in so they could be cared for well. We had students who have been weighed down by heavy burdens find a space to play, laugh, and rest. God has already begun to show that this time of retreat is one that He is using to build memories of His faithfulness in our students, and we know only more fruit will come.
At the same time, God is building an ebenezer in my own heart and in the heart of our community. We will always look back on this weekend and think of God’s faithfulness to prompt a team of CYAK leaders to come to Mekoryuk and invest in our youth. We will continue to praise God for the generosity of CYAK donors like each of you who made it possible for that plane to fly to our remote location - no small feat given the cost of flyingin rural Alaska.
“This was the most healing, life changing, encouraging, experience of my life. Still processing what we’ve presence on this trip. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity work and what He will be doing in indigenous people –an unsolicited post from one of our team
Quyana to CYAK and to each and every one of you who support their life-changing work in communities like ours!
Just like a sled Lead Dogs are unwaveringly the pace, inspiring the Swing Dogs step up special appeals, year-end Team Dogs provide Your consistent engagement Wheel Dogs are the resilience needed to
Every position on tion. Likewise, CYAK hope. Together, HELP US REACH THE
Lauren Thurston Pastor- Mekoryuk Covenant Church
150K!
175K!
encouraging, and beautiful seen and felt through God’s opportunity to witness God’s people all over the world!” team members.
keep going 125K!
By the evening of November 2nd, 13 Alaskans representing nine different communities converged to take part in the One Voice Indigenous Peoples Conference. (Koyuk/Elim, Golovin/Elim, Mountain Village, Kasigalak, HooperBay, Palmer, Anchorage, and Willow). We joined native people from many locations, including 12 Maori from Aotearoa. The conference was designed, facilitated, and led by a church that has sorted out the journey of being native and followers of Jesus…in many ways living out the mission of a partner ministry “to love God the way He made us.” As a team going on a spiritual retreat and journey, we were employing the exhortation of Ruth Haley Barton to ask the Lord “What are you inviting me into?” and to receive what he gives.
At the core of the conference was exploring, contemplating, experiencing, and witnessing how to center Jesus in our different cultures. Some participants have done a lot of careful contemplative work to discern what and how to redeem parts of their culture to honor Jesus and seek Him to fulfill the best of who we are. The host church is filled with people walking in recovery, healing after domestic violence (both victim and perpetrator), being welcomed and restored after incarceration, and walking towards health. It was very powerful to witness and experience the dignity, authority, honesty, love, hopefulness and restorative work of Jesus among this community. We heard many testimonies, but two distinct testimonies were “my culture led me to Christ” (Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the best of my culture) and “Christ led me to my culture” (following Jesus in my culture has allowed me to live with deep rightness, hopefulness, and clarity). There is something about being who God made us that helps us walk in victory.
One of the joys for us from Alaska was to share a “taste of Alaska” meal. We wanted to bless people and give our very best. As a team we brought: 75# of salmon fillets, 20# of moose, a seal shoulder, dried pinks, dried herring, dried seal, beluga, seal oil, 1 gallon of cranberries, silver strips, 40# smoked salmon, fry bread, and a goose. Huge shoutout to our team members sharing some of their very best!
As for us, we are taking the careful road of asking questions, loving people where they are at, listening to elders, and listening to the Spirit of God. Jesus comes for the fullness of Life! Part of the abundance of God has a “now” element to it. What would it look like for my life, my family, my community, my region, my state, etc. to experience God’s abundant life? What would I see and experience?
May the Spirit of God move in ways that release healing of our spirits, our bodies, our families, our co-equal humanity, our communities, our children, and our future! We are so grateful for the opportunity to be in relationship with people throughout Alaska and now people around the globe. May we flourish as we continually make Jesus Lord and center Him in our stories.
dog team, every contribution plays a critical role: unwaveringly dedicated to CYAK’s mission. Your generous and sacrificial giving sets the entire team to move forward with purpose. up in extraordinary ways. You go beyond regular support, giving in response to year-end campaigns, or unique needs, ensuring the mission stays on course. provide steady power through prayer, hands-on volunteering, or participation in vision trips. engagement energizes and sustains the mission, even if your support isn’t financial. the foundation of strength. Your consistent monthly gifts provide the stability and overcome challenges and ensure steady progress in the mission.
Race to 200K! Going the Distance
on the team is vital, and the team’s success depends on unity and dedicaCYAK relies on a shared effort to reach Alaska’s youth with Christ’s love and we can go the distance!
Donate today and become part of the team that’s making a lasting impact. Together, we can go the distance!
Mike Alverts Western Alaska Network Director
Lead dog gift of 75K!
The race to 2025!
Special Edition: Going the Distance
Going the Distance...
LEADING THE WAY FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS IN ALASKA
On a sled dog team, each dog has a specific position that plays a vital role in helping the team go the distance.
Lead Dogs: At the front of the team, lead dogs set the pace, follow the musher’s commands, and navigate the trail. They are visionaries, guiding the team through unknown terrain. Swing Dogs: Positioned right behind the lead dogs, swing dogs help steer the team, ensuring smooth turns and keeping everyone in sync. They play a vital role in keeping the team aligned and on track. Team Dogs: The backbone of the sled team, team dogs are positioned in the middle and provide steady, dependable power. Their consistent effort keeps the sled moving forward over long distances. Wheel Dogs: Closest to the sled, wheel dogs are the strongest and most powerful. They help handle the weight of the sled and provide stability during starts, stops, and sharp turns. Every position is crucial, and the team’s success depends on the unity and dedication of each member. Similarly, the mission of Covenant Youth of Alaska (CYAK) relies on a team effort. To continue reaching Alaska’s youth with the love and hope of Christ, we need your help to go the distance.
COVENANT YOUTH OF ALASKA
Our mission is to share the love and hope of Christ in Alaska with youth and young adults.
Join our dog sled team with a Monthly gift! Let’s make it to Nome!
Starting in Anchorage, finishing in Nome and every stop along the way!
Nome to the finish line!
Koyuk
Kaltag
Ophir
Rainy Pass
Willow
Anchorage
*TRAIL INSIDE
Join our dog sled team with a Monthly gift!