The Merger
The unfortunate trend within the church is to split when the going gets tough, even though our goal is the same; to make disciples. We are blessed to know that God can bring different cultures together to advance His Kingdom. We know this because this is the story of SEND North’s relationship to SEND International. We used to be two separate organizations, but God brought us together through an extraordinary merger!
SEND North was born as Central Alaska Mission (CAM) by a man with a vision. Vince Joy, pilot, and preacher, and his family established this vital village ministry in Alaska in 1937. CAM was comprised of four programs: village ministry, Cross Roads Medical Center (1956), KCAM Christian Radio (1964), and Alaska Bible College (1966). At Vince Joy’s death in 1966, his legacy at CAM was carried on by the Board of Directors.
The Board struggled with growing the ministry due to the technicalities of legal, financial, and staffing challenges. This was when they met Phil Armstrong, Director of the Far Eastern Gospel Crusade (FEGC). FEGC was a semi-large organization started by WWII veterans in Japan and the surrounding area, who saw the devastation of the war and the need for God within the local people they encountered. After much prayer and discussion, SEND International was born through the merger of CAM with FEGC in 1971. This pairing provided help and guidance with the ministries in Alaska and set the stage for God to continue to expand these ministries across the globe.
Let us be honest at this point, the unity between the Asia-based and the rural Alaska-based ministry was geographically perplexing, but the two organizations understood their need for one another. While the locations, cultures, and values between the two areas were very different, the goals of both organizations, as well as the characteristics of these areas, were somewhat similar. Both groups sought to spread the Gospel to the indigenous regions within their reach. Both encountered language and cultural barriers as well. Finally, both organizations had the drive for church-planting and building relationships. This pattern of bringing cultures together to minister has repeated itself many times over as SEND International opened ‘fields’ in Europe, Russia, and Asia. SEND North is one of those ‘fields,’ making disciple-makers in Alaska and Northern Canada.
SEND International still uses these same bonds to unify the vastness of their ministry locations as well as the diverse cultures represented within local, multi-cultural teams. By seeking to use each person’s strengths, engaging with the culture, seeking out open hearts, and committing to areas for the long haul, SEND International and SEND North to continue to work as one for the advancement of the Gospel.
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
Learn about the spiritual harmony in Vietnam & how missionaries engage with college students. Join us in sharing the gospel!
Explore Georgia's spiritual heritage and the impact of SEND International's mission. Join us in fostering authentic relationships today!
