Welcome to Connecting Cultures In Christ

a ministry of 

Youth With A Mission Ketchikan, Alaska

Our Mission

To prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up in unity, faith, and the knowledge of God.

Lenard and Debbie have been married for 33 years, have 3 children and 6 grandchildren.  Beginning in 1980, they lived in Southeast Alaska for 13 years and started their missions life in 1991 by taking a Discipleship Training School with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) at Tyler, Texas.  In 1993 they were accepted on staff at YWAM Salem, Oregon where they have served for the last 16 years.  In that time, between them, they have served and pioneered in a multitude of leadership and training roles including campus services, training director, and base leadership team.  

The original vision the Lord gave Lenard and Debbie in 1993 was to see a YWAM operating center established in Southeast Alaska.  Subsequently, the Lord has refined their focus to connecting Native people of Southeast Alaska with un-reached tribal people around the world, engaging them for the purpose of advancing the ministry and message of Jesus Christ through their own culture.  In 2003 Lenard and Debbie launched the ministry of Connecting Cultures In Christ to intentionally move forward with mobilizing Southeast Alaska Natives to missions.

Currently Lenard and Debbie are in the process of developing property, that was donated in 2008 for a YWAM operating center, located in Ketchikan, Alaska - one of the main cities of and gateway to Southeast Alaska.  In 2009 they moved back to Alaska to open the ministry.  After all these years in pursuit of God’s leading and provision in this pioneering effort, Lenard and Debbie are experiencing the joy and excitement of seeing their dreams fulfilled.