About Alaska Village Missions
In much of Alaska, you can't simply get in a car and drive to the next community.
Many villages are separated by vast stretches of wilderness, water, mountains, and tundra. Some have no connection to Alaska's road system at all and can only be reached reliably by boat or small aircraft.
For Alaska Village Missions (AVM), those geographic barriers shouldn't prevent people from having an opportunity to hear about Jesus.
AVM is a Christian mission that has been serving Alaska for more than 50 years. Its ministry focuses on reaching Alaska Native communities with the Gospel.
It Started With an Airplane
Alaska Village Missions traces its beginning to Ray and Petrea Arno in the early 1960s.
After arriving in Alaska, Ray quickly realized that reaching remote villages would require a very different approach to transportation. Much of the state couldn't be reached by road.
So Ray sold his car and bought a small airplane.
That decision helped launch what became Alaska Village Missions.
AVM was founded in 1964, followed by Alaska Bible Institute the next year. From the beginning, aviation allowed missionaries to move beyond Alaska's road system and build relationships in communities that could otherwise be extremely difficult to reach.
Reaching Alaska's Villages
Today, village ministry remains at the heart of AVM.
The organization has focused particularly on communities along the Alaska Peninsula, including villages where there may be little evangelical Christian presence.
But AVM's approach isn't simply about flying into a village, holding an event, and leaving.
Relationships matter.
Missionaries may lead Bible studies, prayer meetings, church services, Vacation Bible Schools, youth activities, athletic events, family gatherings, Gospel sing-alongs, and other community activities.
Some missionaries live within villages, while others regularly travel between communities.
The goal is to build genuine relationships where Christians can share the Gospel, disciple believers, strengthen existing churches, and help develop local Christian leadership.
Training Christians for Ministry
Reaching Alaska also requires people who are prepared to serve.
That's where Alaska Bible Institute (ABI) comes in.
Located in Homer, Alaska, ABI offers a two-year biblical studies program designed to give students a strong foundation in Scripture and prepare them for Christian life and ministry.
Not every student will become a missionary or pastor. The larger goal is to equip Christians to understand God's Word and faithfully serve Him wherever their lives and careers take them.
For those called specifically to village ministry, that biblical foundation can become preparation for serving in some of Alaska's most isolated communities.
Broadcasting Hope Across Alaska
AVM also uses another tool capable of crossing enormous distances: radio.
Since 1982, AVM has partnered with Moody Broadcasting to bring Christian programming and music to communities both on and off Alaska's road system.
Christian radio can reach places where maintaining a permanent ministry presence is difficult, giving people access to biblical teaching simply by turning on the radio.
Going Where the Roads End
Alaska Village Missions ultimately exists because isolation can create both practical and spiritual barriers.
Aircraft help missionaries reach villages. Christian radio carries biblical teaching across the wilderness. Alaska Bible Institute prepares believers to serve. And missionaries build the relationships through which discipleship happens.
At the heart of Alaska Village Missions is a simple commitment: go where the roads don't go, build relationships with the people who live there, share the hope of Jesus, and equip believers who can continue serving their communities for years to come.
