Travis Kuehler
Elder
Travis was born and raised in Oklahoma. He attended a local church with his family and professed faith at five years old. Travis continued to be committed to church attendance through high school.
After leaving home to attend the University of Oklahoma Travis was not seeking to prioritize his faith but God continued to pursue him. Through faithful members of a campus ministry, Travis learned what it meant to practice spiritual disciplines which solidified his beliefs.
After graduating with an accounting degree Travis married his college sweetheart, Heather. The two moved to Houston, Texas where God quickly blessed them with a biblical community that helped support them through the early years of marriage and transitioning to parenthood.
Travis and Heather moved to Anchorage in 2021 with their three children: Camryn, Conrad, and soon to be born Karlie. Travis works for ConocoPhillips as a financial analyst and strives to fulfill Proverbs 22:29 in his career. “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.” The Kuehlers enjoy exploring the natural beauty that Alaska has to offer through hiking, biking, hunting, and fishing.
Shortly after moving to Alaska, the Kuehlers attended True North and were excited to find a church that had strong biblical teaching and opportunities to serve. Travis aims to emulate Paul’s words in Acts 20:24 in his service to the Lord. “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Travis has a heart for discipleship that he first encountered on the University of Oklahoma campus and desires to see others grow in their walks with God.
Mike Ottenweller
Elder
Mike was born and raised in West Michigan. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior during High School. After college, Mike joined the Air Force as a Meteorologist. He moved to Alaska in 2004 to serve at JBER as his first duty station. He married his wife Karen in 2007 and after a few other assignments, they felt God calling them back to Alaska in 2013. Mike and Karen have 3 sons: Jack, Noah, and Grant.
Mike’s faith is rooted in how unbelievable God’s grace is and how much He loves us that He would send His only son to die for us. Paul’s words resonate deeply within his heart:
“For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Mike is passionate about creating deep relationships centered on Christ and for His glory.
Mike and Karen joined True North Church in 2014 and fell in love with the authentic community. They appreciate how the church has always honored that it truly is “All About Jesus.” They love the people of True North and have been amazed at the work that God has done with the church over the years. They are excited and humbled to serve the congregation and see what God is going to do next.
Jim Singleton
Elder
Jim was born and raised in Southern California. He accepted Jesus as his Savior when he was seven years old while attending Vacation Bible School at the First Baptist Church of Yucaipa, CA and was later baptized at the same church.
Jim lived in Chicago for eight years while attending dental school and residency and he met his wife Ros at the Christian Medical and Dental Society meeting at Northwestern University.
Jim and Ros joined the public health service and, after graduation, worked for three years on a Navajo reservation. in 1988, they moved to Alaska and have worked at the Native Medical Center since then. Ros and Jim have taught 5-8th grade Sunday School, hosted high school and young adult groups, provided premarital counseling, and been on multiple medical/ dental mission trips.
Jim has served both as a deacon and on the missions committee at a previous church. Jim is passionate about children and introducing them to Jesus. Jesus said "Let the little children come to me and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven" and "whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "
Jim and Ros were attracted to True North for many reasons: biblical teaching, opportunities to serve, and a community of believers that they have rapidly come to know and love.
Dan Cooley
Elder
Dan was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, to a single mom. He attended the university in Fairbanks, and took his first teaching job out in Tooksook Bay, Alaska. As he looks back on a tumultuous childhood, he can see the hand of the Lord preparing him through all of that to be a loving father and husband, and to be a compassionate leader and educator. He's happily married to his wife, Wendy of 26 years. They have two boys, 23 and 20, who are pursuing their own different career and life paths.
Dan personally accepted Christ as his savior in college when God took hold of his heart in a new way, after growing up nominally Catholic. His walk with Christ took a radical step forward when he and Wendy decided to go into full time ministry overseas, after discovering the truth that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. God made it their joy to go overseas as a family and serve for 15 years.
Wendy and Dan moved back to Alaska to take the Principal position at Family Partnership Correspondence School in 2024. They discovered True North Church online, even before they left Kenya, and have been a part of the church ever since they arrived in Anchorage. They are thankful to be part of the TNC family!