Timeline

1948

William Cameron Townsend founds Jungle Aviation and Radio Service in Peru. The organization begins with one plane, funded by a United States businessman, and a pilot on loan from Mission Aviation Fellowship.

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1960

The two-year search for a suitable headquarters in the United States ends when businessman Henderson Belk and his wife donate 256 acres of land in Waxhaw, N.C.

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1963

Jungle Aviation and Radio Service is incorporated in the United States. The organization has two major departments: aviation and radio.

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1972

Construction and Maintenance becomes an official department.

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1976

The International Computer Services department (now Global Information Technology Services) is formed.

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1981

Purchasing and Shipping is named an official JAARS department.

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1982

William Cameron Townsend passes away on April 23.

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1986

The Materials Transportation department is formed.

To reflect its growing number of services, Jungle Aviation and Radio Service changes its name. The acronym "J.A.A.R.S." is dropped, and the organization becomes known simply as “JAARS.”

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1993

Vernacular Media Services becomes an official department.

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1999

The Wycliffe Bible Translators family of organizations embraces Vision 2025.

The Maritime Services department is created.

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2004

Land Transportation becomes the newest department at JAARS.

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2007

JAARS adopts the Business as Mission initiative.

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2008

JAARS celebrates its 60th anniversary. Today, more than 400 career missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators serve in JAARS-related positions around the world. Nearly 600 people serve each weekday at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, N.C.

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2009

In an effort to reallocate resources for future support work, JAARS closes the Materials Transportation department.