GroundCrew Issue - December 1996 - Page Four

Director's Desk - Dwight Jarboe

The question on the Moody Magazine cover grabbed my attention; "What’s Ahead for Missions? Inside, a collection of articles spoke of challenges and opportunities Christians face in "making disciples of all nations". One article discussed the commitment of churches in our country to world missions. Another explored new technology and its impact on the task. Yet another was about the increase in numbers of missionaries from non-western countries. All the articles touched on needed changes in mission strategy to more effectively share the good news of Christ with the world in this generation.

For twenty-four of my forty-eight years I have been involved in mission aviation. Even though the basic idea to take people and cargo from point A to point B has not changed, very few mission flight departments operate today exactly as they did twenty-four years ago. Technology [read Global Positioning System] has changed the way missionary pilots navigate. Some aviation programs are making many more flights for national church leaders and evangelists than they fly for missionaries. In some parts of the world the use of mission aircraft has diminished, while in other areas aircraft are more needed than ever before.

Often I am asked about the future of mission aviation, and, more specifically, about the need for mechanics and pilots. Becoming a qualified missionary pilot/mechanic or aircraft maintenance specialist is expensive and time consuming. A person’s reasonable concern is whether there will be a need for his services as an airman or not.

In a word, the answer is yes. There is a continuing need for pilot/mechanics, and there is a great need for aircraft maintenance specialists in the mission aviation community. A representative of one mission’s aviation program told me recently they need about six additional pilot/mechanics with strong maintenance skills each year. He indicated they would be able to place twelve to fifteen more qualified maintenance specialists in their program now.

What’s ahead for MMS? In light of the need for quality aviation technicians, we will keep preparing people and planes for missions. We will continue to strive for excellence and safety in the work on the planes and in the maintenance training. We will also help one another face the challenges of working together and serving others.

The Bible tells us, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." In this verse is Christmas, Easter and missions. Regardless of changes in technology or mission strategy that truth remains unchangeable, and we must share it with every tribe and language and people and nation.

We pray you will have a blessed Christmas season.

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December 96 GroundCrew Index

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