Meet the Board

Chairman

Dan Evans has been a pastor with the Evangelical Free Church of America since 1990, having received his undergraduate education from Trinity University, and his graduate degree from Colorado Christian University. Dan has a diverse background that includes years of ministry and leadership experience. After serving six years in the Army Reserves, and 16 years with chapel military communities in Germany under Cadence International, Dan pioneered a new ministry in Alaska (in 2007) called Mountain Chapel Hospitality House (MCHH).  The purpose of MCHH was to offer a ministry that would reach, disciple, and provide leadership development for service members stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. 

After passing on this very fruitful & successful ministry to missionary partners, Dan felt led to begin a new ministry at Hill Air Force Base in Utah. Under the advice & guidance of a team of veteran ministers & professionals, Dan began a new non-profit organization called STRIDE Ministries. It is under this new organization that Dan operates, partnered with the chaplains at Hill AFB since 2015.

Treasurer and Secretary

Ann Evans has been employed in the financial services industry for 28 years. Currently she is providing accounting and administrative services for several organizations including STRIDE Ministries. Ann came to know Jesus as her Lord Savior as a child and by God’s grace she continues to grow in her faith and pursue a life of service to Him. She resides in California with her daughters, Sarah and Hannah, and enjoys the outdoors, spending time with her family and their two Italian Greyhounds.

Member at Large

Retired AF Col after 30 years’ service (4 commands), with academic background from the USAF Academy, 3 master’s, and a PhD.   He is still in academics as the executive director and dean of Wayland Baptist University-Alaska, where he has been for 8 years.  His ministry involvement has been with Officer’s Christian Fellowship, home Bible studies for 25 years, seminary studies with Fuller Theological Seminary, board member of Young Life-Alaska, and lots of pulpit supply/preaching at various churches.   His personal statement is to try to glorify God in everything, which includes sharing the Gospel of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  He enjoys adventure--and God has richly blessed him with the opportunity to serve at Wayland and to live in one of the most beautiful and exciting places on earth.  His interests include  skiing, running, climbing, hunting, fly-fishing, sailing, wind-surfing, mountain biking, painting, and playing the violin.   His wife is Dawn, and he has two married sons, Austin (with Katie) and Andy (with Carrissa).

Vice Chairman

Dayton Nelson served many years within military ministries including Club Beyond with MCYM and as an interim fill with Cadence International. Dayton is now a current Naval Officer in recruiting from Minnesota. Dayton has vast experience with the military, military ministry, leadership and training. Dayton and Tammy have three teenage children Cheyenne, Holiday and Garrett.

Member at Large

Pete Saunders is an active duty Air Force officer and has been in military service since 2011. He received his B.S. and M.S. from Florida State University in Atmospheric Science. He currently is attending the University of Utah in Salt Lake City in pursuit of his PhD in Atmospheric Science. Pete grew up in Southern Maryland prior to attending school in Florida and then joining the military. So far, he has served at Barksdale AFB, LA; Kunsan AF, Republic of Korea and Hill AFB, UT. His academic studies at the University of Utah are part of an active duty tour through the Air Force Institute of Technology. His main goal in life is to glorify God, and to be a witness and mentor to others, with the ultimate objective of bringing others to the Lord. He has been involved with STRIDE Ministries for the past 16 months in which he has attended and led many outdoor events as well as Bible studies and spiritual discussions. He enjoys running, hiking, off-roading in his Jeep, skiing and storm chasing for tornadoes. He is very excited to be a new board member of STRIDE Ministries.

Member at Large

Ray Vickery, a native of Ellenboro, NC, discovered his faith in Christ at age 11 through the kindness of teachers at Trinity Middle School, sparking a lifelong passion for ministry and teaching. He met his wife, Candace Franklin Vickery, during high school, and they married after college in the summer of 2011. Candace graduated from Liberty University with a B.S. in Nursing, while Ray earned a degree in Philosophy and was commissioned into the U.S. Army in spring 2011.

During his college years at UNC Chapel Hill, Ray was actively involved in Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, where he embraced Christian leadership by organizing Bible studies and outreach events. After graduation, he began his career as an Engineer officer, completing training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, before serving with the 4-25 Infantry Brigade (Airborne) at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. During this time, Ray and Candace welcomed three children: Anna, Peter, and Benjamin. They also became deeply involved with the Mountain Chapel Hospitality House (MCHH), led by Dan Evans.

Professionally, Ray held roles as a staff officer for the 1-501st Infantry Battalion, Platoon Leader of a light construction equipment platoon, and Executive Officer of the Headquarters Company of the 6th Brigade Engineer Battalion. In parallel, he and Candace supported MCHH and the on-base chapel through hospitality ministries, Bible study leadership, teaching, and Scripture-reading and preaching during chapel services.

As they prepare for the next phase of their journey, Ray and Candace are returning to Fort Leonard Wood for further training. Ray will also take on a new role as a board member for STRIDE Ministries, continuing their dedication to faith and service.