Meet David ZumBrunnen

I was born and raised in Kearney, Nebraska. I immigrated to Fairbanks, Alaska, in the fall of 1966 to attend the University of Alaska where I earned a Bachelors of Science Degree with a major in mathematics and a minor in physics. In 1969 I enlisted in the Alaska Air National Guard for six years where I was trained in computers. Upon college graduation I was hired by the Matanuska Susitna School District and began my career teaching math at Wasilla High School from 1970-1990. I then transferred to Burchell Alternative High School and taught troubled teens until my retirement in the spring of 1994. In August of that year I enrolled at Denver Theological Seminary, Denver, Colorado, where I and my wife Cheryl lived until my graduation in the spring of 1997. I received a Masters of Divinity with honors.

Cheryl and I returned to Alaska in the fall of 1997. In the spring of 1999 I sensed God’s direction to establish house churches in our area with quarterly general meetings where all the groups would come together for a special time of worship, teaching, and fellowship. The goal, which was realized, was to have fifty percent of all giving go toward outreach.

In January of 2002, I believed the Lord leading me in a different direction for ministry and resigned as co-pastor of what is now called Christ-Connection Home Fellowships. Because of my intense burden for the homeless, abused and troubled teens in our area, in September of 2002 I agreed to go back to teaching for one year (that has turned into two), in the school district for the purpose of helping to establish a new alternative high school in Big Lake, Alaska, twenty miles from home.

In the summer of 1991 I completed the intensive Advanced True Life Counselor Training at Exchanged Life Ministries, Aurora, Colorado. Currently I serve as President of True Life Counseling, Inc., a biblical counseling and counselor training ministry that my wife Cheryl and I incorporated in the fall of 2005. As President, I answer to and oversee the Board of Directors, am responsible for all the financial and business workings of the ministry and function as a staff counselor. Crossroads Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization. Our purpose is to teach members of the body of Christ to experience and mature in the truth that Christ is their life. It is not about changing a Christians life, but exchanging a self-centered life for a Christ-centered life and helping Christians discover and experience the real presence of Jesus Christ in all they are and all they do.

When asked by a fellow traveler one day what my spiritual background was, I answered, “I was raised Augustana Swedish Lutheran where my love for Jesus was fostered, attended a Presbyterian church for twenty years, moved to a non-denominational church and attended a conservative Baptist Seminary. While in seminary I attended a full gospel black Baptist church and did my seminary internship in an Assembly of God church and have pastored a non-denominational home fellowship.” I share this to simply say that I view all God’s children as equals before His throne and count it a privilege to be one of them.

Meet Jerry Valley

I grew up on Afognak and Kodiak Islands in the Gulf of Alaska, was delivered into the Kingdom of God’s Son in 1976 and have been a student of His Word ever since.  My hearts desire to be a true “fisher of men” by wholeheartedly following Jesus and seeing His promise fulfilled in my life (John 4:19).

What God promised, He is faithful to do, and it has been dramatically experienced in my own life.  I am excited to see God setting people free as they digest the Exchanged Life teaching at True Life Counseling.  “This is the true grace of God…” (1 Peter 5: 12)

Jesus “calls out to us by His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1: 3).  At True Life Counseling I see His glorious excellence at work, calling out to those who are weary and burdened: come, enter My rest, and I will reveal to you that “sure foundation” for your life, “which is Jesus Christ” our Lord (1 Corinthians 3: 11).

The Lord’s blessing be upon you as you seek His perfect will in your life.

Jerry and his wife Patty live in Wasilla.  They have five children and seven grandchildren. 

Meet Gordon Bell

Gordon resides with his wife Noel, who is a well known Alaskan artist. Gordon was raised in India during his father’s tenure as a missionary pastor. He possess special abilities in the area of people management and has a wonderful way with troubled teens.  He became involved in the management team of True Life upon completion of the Advanced Training.  He was impressed with what he heard and how it changed his life and is a valuable active part of the organization.

Mr. Bell is a man with a servant’s heart.  He gives sacrificially to those around him, expecting nothing in return.  Gordon is extremely well educated in the emotional, spiritual and mental health field and is experienced in group therapy, and teaching of therapy methods and techniques to his peers. He is a licensed drug and alcohol assessment counselor and is serving in that capacity for True Life Counseling.