Both CAM and FEGC grow rapidly; launching aviation ministry, youth camps, church planting, leadership training, and cross-cultural mobilization.

In 1960, a permanent U.S. office was opened in Michigan. Camps grew in Japan, medical outreach in the Philippines, and the beginning of church planting. FEGC Canada later became a second sending office. 

1970 saw Central Alaskan Missions (CAM) merge with FEGC. Missionaries served through aviation, radio (KCAM), a medical clinic, and local church development. Missionaries joined FEGC through partner missions in Germany. 

The International Council was formed in 1972, uniting leaders from all areas. Despite cultural and geographic diversity, the mission pressed on in unity. 

In 1981, FEGC officially became SEND International. This name change reflected our organizational commitment to sending missionaries and was inspired by John 20:21, “As the Father has sent me, so send I you.” 

In September 1981, former General Director Phil Armstrong, US Council member Paul Mortenson, and SEND missionaries Bill Ballou, Wanda Ediger, and Paul Backlund were killed in a plane crash over the Gulf of Alaska while returning from Petersburg to Glennallen. The loss became a rallying point for SEND to lean deeper into its commitment to the mission. 

In the late 80’s SEND moved into Spain and Hong Kong. When the Berlin Wall came down and the Soviet Union collapsed, SEND entered Russia, Ukraine, and Central Europe from Poland south to Croatia. In 1995, SEND celebrated 50 years of ministry and recommitted to its founding vision: to share Christ with those who have not yet heard. 

In the 21st century, SEND embraced bold innovation, new regions, and deeper global partnerships. 

In 2004, Warren Janzen succeeded Frank Severn as SEND’s new International Director. New ministry areas were established in East Asia and the Philippines. Eurasia became a ministry region and opportunities opened in Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Romania. 

In 2008, a new mission statement, “Mobilize God’s people and engage the unreached in order to establish reproducing churches.” put a new focus on the unreached in more remote places. The mission was lived out in the opening of ministry in Thailand, Timor Leste, and forming Global Chinese Ministries and Diaspora Ministry. 

Despite difficulty, SEND has pressed forward in its mission through the war in Ukraine, natural disasters such as Japan’s triple disaster, and global disruptions like COVID-19. 

In April 2025, SEND members affirmed Jon Eckstein as the new International Director. A few months later, SEND celebrated its 80th anniversary. Through shifting seasons and new horizons, SEND remains faithful to bringing the gospel to the unreached. 

Central Alaskan Missions (CAM) is founded by Vincent James Joy to serve Alaska’s remote communities.

Central Alaskan Missions (CAM) is founded by Vincent James Joy to serve Alaska’s remote communities.

During World War II, God began to stir the hearts of soldiers in New Guinea and the 

Philippines. 

This launched the GI Gospel Hour (GIGH) on May 5, 1945, which drew hundreds of servicemen for worship and evangelism. A key prayer meeting in September 1945 birthed the vision for Far Eastern Bible Institute and Seminary (FEBIAS) which opened its doors three years later with 80 students. Soldiers deployed to Japan started the Gospel Crusade. Back in the US, these became the Far Eastern Gospel Crusade (FEGC). 

These early years were marked by bold faith and sacrificial service. This wartime revival laid the foundation for a mission that would span the globe.