In our previous newsletter, we celebrated the incredible milestone of five years in ministry. What a gift it has been to look back and see the Lord’s faithfulness throughout this journey and the many ways He has allowed us to be part of His work.
Over the last several months, through much prayer and wise counsel, we have come to the difficult decision to step away from full-time vocational ministry. This has not been a decision we’ve made lightly, but after much prayer and discernment, we believe this is where God is leading us in this season.
With the demands of ministry and leadership, the transition to living in Bolivar has been really difficult for us as a family. We’ve realized how deeply each of us needs meaningful community, friends and mentors to walk alongside us and over the last two years, that simply hasn’t been possible in the way we’ve needed.
Whats Next
What does that mean for us? Seth has been given an opportunity to get back into the HVAC industry, which is what he was doing before beginning work at SOAR. Deb will be able to focus more on homeschooling and some freelance opportunities. The girls will be able to have more time and opportunities to serve at church.
Here are some of the successes that we were able to accomplish through your investment in mission aviation:
- This year, SOAR is celebrating 15 years of service. God has grown this team, and He continues to build a strong community.
- We have developed a process to help mission candidates be more successful in raising their support.
- We have updated our flight program to incorporate more missionary-specific training.
- God has expanded our aircraft fleet to meet our growing training needs.
- SOAR has been able to add a grass runway at the Bolivar Airport.
- Some of our team participated in the creation of Andy Glendenning Memorial Park, honoring one of our former flight instructors.
- Bolivar and SOAR hosted the 53rd IAMA Conference, welcoming mission organizations from around the world.
- Since our joining, SOAR has sent 5 missionary pilot/mechanics to the field. They are serving in Alaska, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, and Tanzania. We are privileged to be part of their ministry journeys.
- SOAR is currently training 3 missionary pilot/ mechanics. It has been incredible to watch how God sends one out and brings the next one in.
In 2020, when we surrendered to the calling of full-time Mission Aviation, we had no idea how the Lord would grow us. We never imagined asking partners to join us in this work during a pandemic, yet we were humbled by the generosity and faithfulness of our partners.
To all of you who have been on this journey with us from the beginning or who have joined us along the way, thank you. You are an integral part of the work of training laborers for the harvest through Mission Aviation.
What happens to your financial support.
If you want to continue to support of mission aviation there are a couple opportunities. First, SOAR has new staff family, Skyler and Nicki Redding, who would love for you to be a part of their support team.
If this is something that you would want to do, reach out to us and we can make an introduction and connect you with them or you can read more about their story here.
Secondly, you can also continue giving to SOAR on an organizational level, and those funds will be used to support the great work that they are doing in many areas that is needed to keep the program running.
If you prefer to cancel your giving you can reach out to the SOAR office directly through email, office@soar-m17.org, or by calling 417-777-6800. Depending on how you were giving you might also need to reach out to your financial institution as well. The SOAR office should be able to answer any questions on this.
Please continue to pray for our family as we transition out of ministry. If you would like to talk in person feel free to text or call Seth @ 417-987-1676 & atkryder@yahoo.com or Deb @ 417-274-4453 & debfwhittington@gmail.com. Pray for SOAR as they need staff and team members to fill the gap of our leaving. Thank you so much for being on this journey with us, we were effective in training more workers for the harvest!