1930

BEGINNINGS

Vincent J. Joy, founder of Central Alaskan Missions, felt the calling on his life as a high school student. He was willing to surrender His life to the Lord's calling. That calling would lead Him to the far north regions of Alaska. 



The Lord used his willing heart to greatly impact the state of Alaska. His readiness to serve the Lord paved the way for missionaries of SEND North to transform Alaska 

1930

JOURNEY TO ALASKA

On April 30, 1937, Vince and his wife, Beckie Joy, took their fifteen-month-old son, Jimmy, and headed to Alaska. On May 14, they arrived in Copper Center with their team, consisting of Vince's brother, Austin Joy, and Lillian Scott. 

Upon arriving in Copper Center, they were immediately met with opposition. When they landed, a young man told the missionaries to return home and that they were not needed. Being confident, the Lord called them to Cooper River, and they stayed. 

The mission team rented a one-room cabin behind the Roadhouse in Cooper River. At this Roadhouse, there was a piano where Beckie could play hymns, and Vince would "talk" around the hymns to avoid the "no preaching" rule. The "services" grew, and soon, the Joy family held Sunday school and regular services in their new log home.

1942-1950

FIRST STEPS

In 1942, having outgrown the small log home, Chapel on the Hill was built. The church held its first service on Christmas Day, 1942, and this was just the beginning of the ministry of SEND North. 



The faithfulness of the Joy family was quickly multiplied by the Lord, and the CAM ministry grew. The Lord continued to provide people to serve, teach, and help develop leaders to reach the hearts of Alaska. 

Four years later, the Joys moved to Glennallen. Glennallen would eventually become the headquarters of Central Alaska Missions and the many other partner ministries, such as the Faith Hospital, KCAM, Bible studies, and Alaska Bible College.