Soaring high: how dreams become reality

While we will eventually serve overseas with Africa Inland Mission, we are currently with Proclaim Aviation. Proclaim is a really unique organization. When we found out about them, it was such an answer to prayer. We knew where we were, and we knew where we wanted to go. But how to get from point A to point B? The road seemed very long, and there were many unknowns and obstacles. A way where there seemed to be no way: Proclaim (along with a few other acts of God!) provided that for us.

They just launched a new website, and it is awesome! Sometimes people ask us where we are going, when, what we are doing in the meantime. (All valid questions, especially from our partners!) But I feel like I lose them somewhere in my response. Missionary aviation is such an important thing to so many missionaries, it really fills a special role in much of the developing world. So understandably, there is a price to pay for exclusivity: its really hard to get there! I felt that Proclaim explained all this much better than I ever have, so with permission, I am sharing it with you all here.

the backdrop

Needs on the field  More.  More. More.  Missionary Aviators, Aircraft Maintenance Specialists and the missionary personnel to sustain these efforts.  There are declining numbers of pilot/mechanic trainees, exacerbated by the high number of graduates who fail to make it to the field, along with the declining tenure of field missionaries.

Getting to the Mission Field   
The process to move from training to foreign service has many steps.  Overseas service is rigorous. Potential candidates are tested and examined to determine if their technical, emotional, professional and life abilities can sustain their families and their work overseas. Missions and Ministry agencies can only invest in candidates that can pass these rigors.  Yet, these steps are where resources and candidates can fall through the cracks. 

the obstacles

When a pilot or aircraft mechanic has finished their training in missionary aviation, they have all their FAA certificates, excellent knowledge and training, along with the burden of educational debt.
Flight Time  If overseas missionary service is the goal, Missionaries will need to gain additional flight hours, proficiency, and practical experience-- a process similar to medical internships and residency. 

Debt  In good stewardship, aviation missionaries must pay down their educational debt before they can head overseas.  This process can take several years, sometimes eliminating overseas service completely. 

Mission Aviation Schools   These schools work hard to provide training tailored to the stringent overseas regimen.  The training is technically advanced and meticulous.  Yet, these schools operate on little resources.

Aircraft   There is a need for a new generation of aircraft that can perform with big cargo, lots of passengers and still easily take off and land in unconventional and remote terrain.  All this while consuming jet fuel that is readily available overseas.

the solutions

By partnering with aviation schools, aviation ministries and foreign missions agencies, we build bridges.  Bridges of conversation and cooperation.  Bridges that streamline process and expedite resources.  Bridges that create solutions.  

Internships    Proclaim secures internships for our pilots and aircraft mechanics, giving them the arena to gain their proficiency and accumulate their necessary hours.  Many of our missionaries fill positions at mission aviation training programs, thus they are involved in training the next generation of mission aviators while they continue on their path to overseas service.  

Guidance   We seek to work with our mission aviators, guiding them through the steps and over pitfalls.  In this way, Proclaim is able to funnel a stream of aviators to overseas ministries. 

Financial   Along the way, we work with the missionaries to develop financial partners in their ministry, pay off educational debt and provide them with resources and opportunities to equip their families for the next phase of ministry. 

Mission Aviation Schools  Proclaim partners with Missionary Aviation Training Programs to not only provide instructors and staff from our missionaries, but to secure aircraft and other resources.

Aircraft   We maintain relationships with various companies seeking to provide missions with better aircraft solutions.  Thus, we are able to provide staff toward these endeavors, including training the current missionary aviators in these new technologies.

All of which leads to more missionary pilot/mechanics in the field! 

  www.proclaimaviation.org