Mileposts in Our History

1946-1950
The stage is set: Church of the Open Door in Anchorage, Alaska, hosts annual conferences for independent missionaries from Alaska's "bush." The need for a fellowship organization is born.

1951
InterAct Ministries is begun as "Alaska Missions Inc." in Anchorage, Alaska. Sixteen missionaries become charter members.

1956
Oops! Another organization shares that name! Name is changed to Arctic Missions.

1966
We need a training facility! Arctic Bible Institute (ABI) opens in Alaska. Originally a resident Bible school, ABI now concentrates on extension training for church leaders in village and urban areas.

1967
There are native people in Canada, too! Work among native people expands into British Columbia, and later into Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

1971
Yep, that's right! We need to train native church leaders in Canada, as well. Native Institute of Canada opens (now called Native Bible Centre). Similarly begun as a resident school, it, too, now trains through extension classes and courses.

Also in 1971, Victory Bible Camp (which was formed in 1947 at Mile 95 on the Glenn Highway in Alaska by the same board that founded Arctic Missions) became a part of Arctic Missions until it was released in 1992 to its own board of directors.

1983
Sensing the usefulness of new technology, InterAct begins using video to support church-planting and leadership training efforts.

1985
There are "other" Indians, too! Work begins among Canada's East Indian immigrants.

1988
With expansion into southern, less frigid regions, "Arctic" no longer describes us. Name is changed to InterAct Ministries.

1989
With the melting of the "ice curtain" between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, InterAct begins researching the possibility of developing an outreach to the native people of Siberia.

1993
First resident InterAct missionaries arrive in Siberia. Today our Russia staff numbers ten.

1996
The mission family numbers over 150, with growing ministries in four countries.

1997
One InterAct couple moves to India to help Serve Ministries start Life Steps, a computer-training program for disabled people, to give a platform for personal evangelism in the community.

InterAct begins an outreach ministry to Muslims in Canada.

2000
New Vision Statement adopted, focusing on the "North Pacific Crescent," and expanded means of ministry. India field is closed.

2001
InterAct celebrates 50 years of ministry.

2003
InterAct launches Bold Steps in church planting, missionary training, and community development in the North Pacific Crescent.

2006
Tuva added to Russia (Siberia) field.