About Us
Alaska Village Missions (AVM) is a non-denominational, evangelical ministry that has been reaching Alaska for Christ for more than fifty years.
AVM is a ministry dedicated to reaching the native people of Alaska with the Gospel, equipping believers for Christian service at Alaska Bible Institute, and broadcasting hope across Alaska through Christian Radio.
If you feel God is calling you to serve Him in Alaska keep reading to find out more about what He is doing through AVM and our missionaries.
Beliefs
AVM is a non-denominational, evangelical, faith-based, mission organization.
We stand firmly on the foundation of Scripture (the Bible) and hold it as our ultimate authority. While our staff and faculty may come from different church backgrounds and affiliations this is sure – we are all followers of Jesus Christ and saved by His glorious grace. For further inquiries regarding the doctrinal position of AVM, please feel free to CONTACT US.
History of Alaska Village Missions
Alaska Village Missions began in the early 1960s as the vision of our founder Ray Arno and his wife Petrea. When they arrived in Alaska, they quickly realized that in order to reach this state with the Gospel it meant leaving the road system and hitting the skies. The majority of land in Alaska is completely inaccessible by road and most villages are only accessible by small aircraft.
With this in mind, Ray sold his car and purchased a small plane and the legacy of AVM began.
Since that time the vision of AVM has remained clear and steadfast. Everyone from our Board of Directors to our field staff are committed to ministering in Alaska and to its people.
“Alaska Village Missions: The First 50 Years” chronicles Pastor Ray Arno’s journey from a small church in Wisconsin to the Alaskan frontier, where he aimed to spread the Gospel. Despite initial struggles, Arno’s faith led to the unexpected founding of the Alaska Bible Institute in Homer, Alaska. The book details the trials, faith-stretching moments, and eventual success that demonstrated God’s power and provision. Founded in 1964, Alaska Village Mission, and the Bible Institute, established a year later, continue to thrive. This story aims to inspire readers to respond to God’s call in their own lives. You can find the book here.
Doctrinal Statement
• The plenary inspiration and infallibility of the Word of God
• The eternal existence of one infinite God in three persons; Father, Son & Holy Spirit
• The deity, virgin birth, sinless life, vicarious atonement, and imminent return of Jesus Christ
• The universal depravity of man and necessity of salvation through the atoning blood of the Redeemer at Calvary
• The regenerating and indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit producing the fruit of a transformed life imparting spiritual gifts
• The physical resurrection of all men. The Saints to everlasting joy and the lost to everlasting conscious torment
• The commission to the church to live in purity and to spread the Gospel throughout the world while awaiting the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
• This statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of faith, doctrine, practice, policy, admissions, and discipline, our Board of Directors is ALASKA VILLAGE MISSIONS’ final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.
Newsletters
If you want to hear regular testimonies of what God is doing in the villages and through Alaska Bible Institute, sign up to receive our newsletters here, and be sure to check the box for Alaska Village Missions Updates.
Faculty & Staff
Eric + Kat Rozeboom
Eric is the Executive Director for AVM and the President of ABI. Eric came to ABI in _____ and never left! He met his bride here at ABI, they married and settled down as teachers and then leadership. God has blessed them with 5 kids, Jude, Asher, Evangeline, Genevieve, and Zoey.
Andy & Katrina Smith
Andy is the Director of Village Ministry for AVM, and teaches Bible and Missions at ABI. Karina is the ABI Campus Nurse. Together with their two sons, David and Johnathan, they live on the ABI campus and serve in villages as often as they can.
Jeff & Amber Lowe
Jeff is the Assistant Director of Village Ministry for AVM, and the primary airplane pilot for the ministry. Jeff and Amber, with their son Parker, live in Missouri where Jeff runs AvFab, an aviation interior manufacturing and supply business. They spend most of their summers in Alaska, traveling and ministering in remote villages along the Alaskan Peninsula.
Taylor & Marissa Fendley
Taylor Fendley graduated from ABI in 2023, and will complete his Missions Internship in April, 2024. Taylor and Marissa, with their three children, Kaden, Bristol, and Luke, are preparing to serve as missionary pastors in Northway, Alaska, near the Canadian border.
Tanner & Tina Teele
Tanner and Tina, along with their 3 children, Dryden, Brilli, and Blade, are preparing to serve as missionary pastors at a remote native village that can only be reached by boat or plane.
Timmy & Audra Jackson
Timmy will graduate from ABI in April 2024 and start his Missions Internship in September. Because Timmy and Audra (and baby Josiah!) are already planning to join AVM at the completion of their internship, they are starting their fundraising efforts this summer, and we look forward to them joining the team full-time in May, 2025 as they prepare for village ministry.
