The McKelveys have served with Camino Global since 1965, first in Guatemala with the K'anjobal Indians. In late 1981 they returned to the U.S. and planted a church in Los Angeles of K'anjobal refugees from the war in Guatemala. In 1987 they left the church in the hands of a K'anjobal Pastor, and have since dedicated themselves to a ministry of discipleship with Hispanics and K'anjobals.

Jim was born in Chicago, Illinois, and came into a personal relationship with Christ at age 8. He began a more intimate walk with the Lord after he graduated from High School. At Moody Bible Institute Jim sensed God calling him to the mission field.

Gail was born in Guatemala of missionary parents. She became a child of God at age five in boarding school where her housemother led her to the Lord. She graduated from Ben Lippen High School where she began a more intimate walk with the Lord.

At Moody Bible Institute her call to the mission field was confirmed, and she and Jim met and fell in love. After graduation they studied at the University of Illinois, were married, and accepted for missionary service with CAM. After a summer at Summer Institute of Linguistics, they left for Costa Rica to brush up on Spanish, then on to Guatemala to learn the K'anjobal language and begin their life as missionaries. They have three sons: Sam, born in Costa Rica, Ken and Denny in Guatemala.