First Covenant Church Staff (click on their name or picture to email that person)
Senior Pastor, Max Lopez-Cepero
My father, and the Bronx community I grew up in, was Puerto Rican and I prize those roots even as I have lived almost all my life in multi-ethnic communities. My Christian faith was nurtured in the Roman Catholic Church, and as a teenager I became involved in a Baptist church where that faith became more personal and committed. Educated in New York, I went to seminary in the Chicago area studying for ministry and also pursuing advanced studies in theological ethics and law. I married Helen Harmelink in 1980 and we have been blessed with three creative, bright, adult children. I would describe myself as a city boy who loves the great outdoors. I have had opportunity to visit all 59 National Parks in the US. What an adventure those trips have been over the years. I am in awe of Anchorage First Covenant and the great state of Alaska and only wish I had moved here sooner!
Associate Pastor of Youth and Family, Criss Mitchell
As an Army brat, I grew up around the United States, but on March 1, 1991 at Youth for Christ event at the Atwood Performing Arts Center in Anchorage, Alaska, I came to know Jesus. Since then, I have always called Alaska my home. After high school, I attended Washington State University where I studied English Literature (and more importantly met Alyssa, my future wife), then UAA where I earned my Master’s in Teaching, and finally Seattle Pacific University where I earned my Master’s in Divinity. Alyssa and I have three wonderful boys that keep us on our toes. I enjoy reading, listening to and watching music, well told stories, cooking, and coffee, and I love be able to share those experiences with old and new friends.
Part-Time Associate Pastor, Hugh Forbes
I was born in Bethel, spent my childhood in Barrow and spent my teen years in Anchorage. My wife, Lanette, and I just spent nearly twenty years in Bethel where we raised our three children. I came to Christ as a young adult living in Tulsa, Oklahoma at an Indian Baptist Church. I work for a telecommunications provider as a manager of rural operations and serve First Covenant as an Associate Pastor.
I enjoy movies, music and muscle cars (even though I do not own one!). I enjoy serving alongside others and often am amazed by God’s grace and tremendous patience.
I enjoy movies, music and muscle cars (even though I do not own one!). I enjoy serving alongside others and often am amazed by God’s grace and tremendous patience.
CYAK Missionary Staff serving at First Covenant
We are currently SO blessed by our partnership in ministry with Covenant Youth of Alaska (CYAK)! By God's grace, we have been blessed with even more team members who help us pursue and build the kingdom through First Covenant. These team members raise their support much like missionaries traditionally have done and in some cases work bi-vocationally in order to support themselves to be able to do what they perceive to be God's call on their life. We are so grateful for their partnership and are very pleased to share ministry with them!
