ALASKA MISSIONS - Key Persons


Brenda Crim

Job Titles:
  • Executive Director
  • Support Staff
The executive director establishes the vision, strategy and resource management for Alaska Missions and Retreats. Crim's visionary leadership and strategic focus sets the pace for the staff and volunteers. She establishes mission partnerships with churches and individuals across the USA. Her passions lie in the evangelistic mission to reach Alaska, and in the restoration of the people of the land, the Alaskans. She regularly meets with new believers to spur them to maturity, and tool them to move through past issues that hijack their choices and their walk with Christ Brenda's life purpose is best explained in the words of the great Elisabeth Elliot, "I have one desire now-- to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it." While a varsity volleyball player at Texas A&M University, Brenda's life profoundly changed course when she met Jesus through the witness of a converted Jewish rabbi. As a student she continued to grow through the ministries of FCA and Baptist Collegiate Ministry. The first time she led someone to Christ, she touched her evangelistic calling and knew she would spend her life Brenda Crim founded the 501(c)3 organization, Alaska Missions and Retreats, to mobilize teams to the Last Frontier. ​Serving as Executive Director, she brings drive, passion, and vision to this organization. Her greatest desire is to become an agent for restoration and revival in the frontier of Alaska. Living near the banks of the Kenai River in Kenai, she wakes up every day to Alaska's jaw-dropping landscape. Living out her dreams, Brenda often says to herself…

Christine Greco

Job Titles:
  • Secretary / Member, Est 2020 / Palmer, Alaska
Christine Carter Greco, husband Pat and their two sons, Carter & Kinan have lived in the Mat-Su Valley area since Christmas Day 2004. Christine was born and raised in Alaska, but in 1989 moved to New York State where she earned a B.A. Degree in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in Reading. She taught in the Syracuse, NY area for about 10 years before moving back HOME to Alaska. Christine has been involved in ministry and serving her entire life. From helping with Vacation Bible School on the riverbeds of Chalkyitsik, AK in the 70's to volunteering and Directing HIMI (Christian Hockey Camp)in Alaska 2013 to present. Christine enjoys connecting people, finding ways to serve others and helping to find volunteers to serve others alongside her.

Jim McWilliams

Job Titles:
  • Treasurer / Member Est. 2019 / West Monroe, LA
Jim McWilliams and wife, Bobbi, have two sons, Adam and Camron, daughter-in-law, Emily, and grand- daughter, Harper. Jim is a Project Engineer with an industrial engineering firm. Jim's warm personality goes before him, as he sets a sphere of encouragement around him. He has led mission teams with Alaska Missions at Iditarod and Salmon Frenzy, and leaves a trail of a shepherd -- staying in contact with new or struggling Christians. Jim brings a fresh vision and palatable management style to our projects and our Board of Directors. ​

Keith Sexson

Job Titles:
  • Maintenance Manager
Keith is a valuable part of our staff team whose personality and kindness wins the hearts of all he meets.

Kim Hayes

Job Titles:
  • Fleet Manager
Kim has a strong passion for bush ministry, as well. She organizes our kids clubs at the Iditarod Finish Line in Nome, and will give her summer 2020 in support of a Native Youth Ministry in the NW Arctic.

Pat Dziuk

Job Titles:
  • Chairman / Member Est. 2019 / Karnes City, Texas
Pat Dziuk and wife Christy live in Karnes City, Texas.They have two adult sons, Caleb (and wife Nikki) and Seth, a Baylor student. Pat is a rancher, a chemist, and a Texas Aggie Alum. He is deeply called to mentor young men. Pat leads a men's Bible study and has a heart for restoring weary pastors/ministers through wilderness & outdoors experiences. Pat is known for wisdom, truth, and a tender heart for the broken. He is a wise steward and generous in spirit. He has served with Alaska Missions at Bering Strait Transformational Conference and Kenai Construction. Pat brings to the Board of Directors a heart for stewardship, wise decision-making and for the restoration of men as leaders in their home, church, and community.

Sam Brooks

Job Titles:
  • Vice Chairman / Member Est. 2020 / Irondale, Alabama
Sam Brooks has been married to the love of his life, Merida, for 46 years. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that if any person is in Christ, they are a new creation. In the summer of 1972, Sam began the journey of discovering what that verse means, and that journey continues today. During that summer Sam repented of his sin and asked Jesus to take control of his life. Since that encounter with the Lord, Sam has continued to experience and learn what it means to be a new creation and to have God as a loving and gracious Father. ​His journey took him through Greensboro, North Carolina as a police officer. Then, after sensing a call to full-time ministry, he attended seminary in Fort Worth, Texas and later moved with his young family to Lafayette, Louisiana to become Pastor of The Open Door church. He and Merida currently reside in Birmingham, Alabama where he is a semi-retired grandfather and Pastor Emeritus of The Open Door. During his journey, God has kept Sam, provided all that he has needed, and revealed Himself to be faithful in all circumstances. Sam says, "He redeemed me, made me His child, and promised to continue working in me until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). All praise and glory goes to Him!" Sam's association with Alaska Missions and Retreats precedes its inception, as he met Brenda Crim when she was a candidate for the BSM Director position at the University of Louisiana - Lafayette. Shortly after she arrived in Lafayette, his church began to participate as a sponsor of her ministry - and that participation continues to this day! Sam has also been involved in projects in both Stebbins and Anchorage. Sam considers it a joy and privilege to be a part of the Board to continue his support for both Brenda and the organization.