I was a young student pilot in 1946 when I heard a stirring challenge from a
returned foreign missionary urging the immediate use of the airplane in
missionary outreach. I was profoundly impacted by this challenge! But God had
some refining to do in my life first.
Following six years of youth ministry under
YOUTH FOR CHRIST INTERNATIONAL,
our family responded to the challenge of a unique overseas appointment by
YFCI to the Caribbean in 1960. The requirements were for a pilot with sufficient
flight experience to utilize an airplane to span the ocean miles separating the
islands of the Bahamas. The goal was to develop an interdenominational youth
evangelism ministry that would complement the evangelistic outreach of resident
missionaries.
As the monthly youth rallies began, missionaries asked if I could bring in
some needed items, unavailable in those remote "out islands". First it was
supplies... then, flying one or two ambulance flights....and a whole new area of
ministry opened among the islands -- MISSIONARY FLIGHTS was born.
In 1964, MISSIONARY FLIGHTS was incorporated under the laws of the State of
Florida as a ministry of "helps" to missions.
From the humble beginnings of one man and a small single engine airplane, the
Lord has led MFI to "stand in the gap" in meeting the air support needs of
Biblical missions in the island fields of the West Indies.
