Our Staff

The staff at Alaska Bible Institute is comprised of dedicated Christian leaders who pour their lives into training students. All staff members volunteer their time and rely on missionary support for their financial income (which is what enables students to attend at such low cost). They have committed their lives to answering Jesus’ Great Commission; as a result, the ABI experience is much more than just classroom instruction; disciple making is the heartbeat of ABI. In addition to our staff, local church leaders also serve as instructors throughout the school year, which helps provide a well-rounded biblical education.

To contact any staff person e-mail office@alaskabible.org

Ray and Petrea Arno
Chairman/Director of Alaska Village Missions, Instructor
After graduating from Northwestern College and Pastoring in Wisconsin, the Arno’s moved to Homer, Alaska in 1960. Today, after more than 50 years as a bush missionary, pastor, teacher and administrator, Ray continues to pour his life into the next generation of Christian leaders.  Ray and Petrea have been married for 54 years and have 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. 

 Eric and Katrina Rozeboom 
President of Alaska Bible Institute, Instructor
As a former ABI student and dynamic communicator, Eric relates Scriptural truth to the real world for his students in an engaging manner. After meeting his wife at ABI in 2004, he has returned as a respected instructor and friend of the student body both in and out of the classroom. Katrina has completed the third-year program at ABI and Eric has a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Liberty University.

Skip and Erin Bowersox
Vice President of Alaska Bible Institute, Instructor
After graduating from ABI in 1998, Skip served as an instructor for one year before moving to Michigan where he served as pastor of Sturgis Missionary Church and on staff with Youth for Christ. In 2008 God called Skip back to Homer, where he married the daughter of beloved former instructor Ken Fisher and began teaching again at ABI. Skip’s gift for teaching and his passion for seeing students grow produce exceptional courses that are highly sought after and appreciated by students.

Sam and Denae Gandy
Director of Village Ministry, Instructor
After completing an internship with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Papua New Guinea, Sam and Denae felt called to the Native People of Alaska.  With a vision to plant churches in remote native villages and a passion for reaching the un-reached, Sam and Denae joined Alaska Village Missions in 2010.   Sam has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from the University of North Carolina Charlotte, and a Diploma of Mission Aviation from the Melbourne Institute of Theology.

Kenny and Gail Halpin
Instructor, Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee
For over 40 years Kenny has been investing his time teaching, mentoring, and serving at ABI. In 1964 after serving in the Air Force, Kenny traveled up the Alaskan Highway and arrived in Homer. He began teaching at ABI in 1970, and captained a commercial fishing boat in the summers. Through their example Kenny and Gail call students to a higher level of service, love, and humility.

Tim and Sal Harker
Maintenance Director, Married Housing Supervisors
Tim and Sal Harker are both graduates of ABI, Sal in 1998 and Tim in 2000. After graduating, they served on staff for one year before moving back to Michigan and running a handyman business. In 2005 God called them back to ABI where Tim’s mechanical skills, Sal’s administrative abilities and their willingness to lend a hand with any need that arises make them a tremendous asset to our campus. 

Dan and Rhonda Kropf
Dorm Parents, Maintenance Staff
The Kropf’s two oldest children came to ABI as students in 2004, and the following year Dan, Rhonda and their two younger daughters moved from Michigan to join ABI’s full-time staff. Not only do they daily provide nurture, direction and supervision to a full dormitory of students, but also their passion for seeing people brought to wholeness has blessed many throughout the community of Homer.

Bryan and Heather Mann 
Chef, Student Activity Coordinator
As a graduate of culinary school and a former ABI student, Bryan brings both skill and heart to the kitchen of our student body. His wife, Heather, is a graduate of ABI's third-year program, during which time she also served as the girl's dorm monitor. Bryan and Heather bless our student body with exceptionally good food and also ensure that we are entertained by overseeing the Student Activities Ministry on campus.

Matthew Noble
Instructor, Student Missions Coordinator
While in the middle of a manufacturing career in Michigan, God called Matt to the far north for a time of training and service.  In 2003 he abandoned his known world to follow God’s leading and became a student at Alaska Bible Institute.  After completing the three-year program at ABI, including two as the men’s dorm monitor, God called Him to the ministry of making disciples at ABI. He was accepted as a full-time missionary with Alaska Village Missions where he serves the native villages and at the Alaska Bible Institute.

Lance and Rachel Prouse
Instructor, Summer Project Coordinator
After serving as a pastor in Montana, in 2004 Lance and Rachel moved to Homer to further their formal studies at ABI. When they graduated from ABI's third-year program, they joined the full-time staff where they serve in many roles. Lance’s down to earth approach to Biblical education make him an enjoyable instructor. Lance has also continued his seminary education and has completed his pilot's license, enabling them to be heavily involved in bush ministry to the native villages of Alaska.

Tami Reiser
AVM Treasurer, ABI Bookkeeper
Tamara and her husband Dave have been married 31 years and have lived in many of the remote native villages due to Dave’s job in construction. She came to ABI in 1989 as a part time student. After graduating from the two-year program she joined the AVM/ABI staff as the secretary and bookkeeper in 1997. She has also earned a Certificate in Small Business Management from the University of Alaska.

Mike and Katie Steen
Choir Director, Librarian
Mike and Katie graduated from the Alaska Bible Institute in 2007. Not long after, they became actively involved in ministering to the current generation of students through both social and ministry functions. Katie is currently serving as the choir director, and both Mike and Katie serve the school by overseeing the library.

Jerry Wood
Instructor, Admissions Director
As a former pastor, Jerry brings a shepherd’s heart and a scholar’s mind to the classes of ABI. After years of working as a contractor and in architecture, he attended Asbury Theological Seminary where he earned his Masters of Arts Degree in Theological Studies, as well as a Master of Divinity Degree. He then fulfilled his lifelong call to minister in Alaska and began teaching at ABI in 2001. Jerry is also a published author.