In 1936, a young couple obeyed God’s call to go to the Copper River Valley and start a church. In the process of learning about the needs of the people who lived there, Vince & Becky Joy started to realize there were many more needs than they were able to fill. There were physical needs as well as spiritual and they needed others to help. In 1950, their first doctor arrived to help with the medical needs there. Dr. Chet Schneider obeyed the call and 4 years later, a second doctor named Jim Pinneo joined to build a small staff. In 1956, they called their clinic “Faith Hospital” where they moved from an improvised cabin to a modest hospital building. Later the clinic was called, “Cross Road Medical Center” under SEND of Alaska in Glennallen. You can read a more detailed account of their history on their webpage by clicking on their logo here.
LightShine Alaska founder, Tom & Ruth Denlinger and young son, Alex made their first trip to serve under SEND in 1995. Tom learned that building maintenance is very important for those who serve in Glennallen. Foundations are constantly shifting over melting permafrost as the temperature varies from in the -40sF in the winter to 80 degrees on hot summer days. Among other things, Tom spent his first missions trip helping Don Ressler get under homes and use hydraulic jacks to lift and shim corners of homes in order to level homes. Don’s wife, Millie, was one of the head nurses at the medical center for several decades.
In recent years, Bob & Angie Neuenschwander, have taken responsibility of leading teams to this needed interior ministry. They are now taking LightShine teams to Glennallen to work with the maintenance department of Cross Road Medical Center. This is a vital ministry to help maintain homes of the staff works in this harsh interior town. Look up their teams here on our website and you can view photos of their work. Contact Bob & Angie if you want to join one of their future teams.