In 1959, Rev. J.D. Carlson embarked on an overseas visit that changed his life — and the lives of thousands of children in the decades to come. 

After spending years pastoring at Beulah Tabernacle in Edmonton and hosting the Sunrise Gospel Hour radio program, God began to put a calling in J.D. Carlson’s heart to reach children across the world. Journeying through countries such as Haiti, Korea, Vietnam, and India, he was shocked by the poverty he encountered. 

J.D. Carlson was especially moved by the desperate plight of countless orphaned children, who struggled to survive and had little hope for their future. To help these vulnerable children, Mission to Children was formed.

As opportunities began to open up around the world to feed and care for international children in need, a charity with deep connections to Mission to Children was also planting seeds and growing local ministries with those struggling with unemployment and homelessness in the Edmonton area.

Founded by Rev. Harold Edwardson, Hope Mission was established with a similar vision to provide the hurting and hungry with a meal and the gospel. All throughout the past century, thousands of men, women, youth, and children who came to the doors of Hope Mission were fed both physically and spiritually, much like those served by Mission to Children. 

In 1986 when God took J.D. Carlson home to heaven, Jim Cunningham became Mission to Children’s next Executive Director. His sister-in-law was the daughter of Hope Mission’s founders, an early glimpse into God’s faithfulness and the partnership that would begin decades later one block away from J.D. Carlson’s original place of work. 

In recent decades under the leadership of Bruce Reith, Hope Mission significantly expanded their scope with a special focus on meeting the rising needs of hurting and hungry children. Inspired by his overseas missionary work in Rwanda, Bruce was surprised to see similar needs in local impoverished communities. With a heart for these kids and a hope to prevent the pain, suffering, and addiction seen on the streets of Edmonton, Bruce launched Hope Mission’s preventative programs including school lunches, after-school programming, summer camps, and much more.

Today, God has weaved these two charities together with a common vision to see children both locally and internationally fed, cared for, and ultimately experience life-change and hope. In 2024, Mission to Children officially came under the umbrella of Hope Mission — joining in order to reach even more children for Christ in the next 100 years. Will you join us in this mission?