Well, the short answer is … we still show up. The airport is homebase to some essential services such as air ambulance and Missouri State Highway Patrol. For these services to operate we have to clear the essential areas for them to be able to serve the community. As soon as the snow stops the City of Bolivar Street Department will come and clear the areas that will allow the helicopter to get out of its hangar and clean around the fueling system to allow it to get fuel. Mother nature typically does a good job at melting the snow off of the runway, taxiway, and ramp areas as long as the snow depth is less than 4″ or so. This last snow we needed to assist mother nature in the process. We used our tractor front-end loader to clear the large snow drifts around the main building and fuel area. Later the city crew was able to come out with their larger trucks and clear the runway and taxiway. We are really grateful for our partnership with the City of Bolivar which allows us to do ministry through the operations at the Bolivar Airport.
Mission Candidate Update!
As we work throughout the year we have lots of milestones to hit this year. Bailey will be wrapping up his Commercial Certificate soon. Not long after that, we will begin to do some additional training for him so he can get his Flight Instructor rating. Skyler has been flying weekly, but the weather hasn’t been good enough to really focus extra enabling him to prep for solo. Hopefully in the next few weeks, we will be well into more favorable weather for him to complete that milestone. Dustin is in the home stretch of Procedure Trainer lessons that have to be completed before he can get in the cockpit.
For SOAR: Pray for God to provide workers for our organization. Personal: Pray for health and renewed strength for our family in this season. For Mission Candidates: Pray for God to give them direction with big decisions.
Prayer Requests for 2025:
Pray for God’s guidance in all the decisions we face throughout the year.
Pray for spiritual growth and deeper faith for each member of our family.
Pray for God’s provision to meet our ministry’s financial needs.
Well, these days I am spending more time teaching Bailey how to teach. Bailey is working on his Commercial and Flight instructor ratings in tandem. I have been letting Bailey lead ground lessons with Skyler and Dustin. Part of prepping for your flight instructor rating is proving that you know how to teach. He is doing great, sometimes it’s really difficult to articulate information that you already know and bring it to a level that a student will understand. He is getting better every lesson at this. I also have been taking Duston through the procedure trainer lessons that need to be completed prior to him getting into the actual aircraft. Skyler has been flying on Fridays with an instructor who is helping me fill the extra load requirements. We are aiming to get Dustin to the same level as Skyler, and when the weather gets a little better we will focus on getting them to Solo. Come soon spring … come soon..
Airport Improvements (Seth)
A major role that I have taken on is working with the City, State, and Federal agencies along with the engineers to plan what’s next for the Bolivar Airport. We have been diligently planning and making provisions for new hangars. We are in the midst of an approach lighting system upgrade. We are also starting the preliminary plans for extending the runway length. A large part of our role with the City is to help manage and set the vision for future projects. This relationship is critical to our ability to operate our ministry at the Bolivar airport.
Snow fun!
January was filled with snow and ice. The girls took full advantage of the snowfall.
Are you not of more value than they?
Matthew 6:25-34 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Over the past year, as grocery prices have risen, we’ve felt the weight of meeting our budget needs. Realizing we needed to take action, in January we committed to diligently working toward growing our PD budget to match our expenses. We initially planned for this to be a two-year process, making steady progress toward our goal. But God, in His faithfulness, has been answering our prayers much faster than we imagined. While we haven’t reached our goal yet, He continues to connect us with the right people. Praise the Lord—our financial needs are being met!
Our tendency is to rely on our own strength, especially as go-getters who like to make things happen. But time and again, God reminds us that He is the one at work, moving long before we ever send a text or make a plan. He is the one providing and caring for us every step of the way.
Prayer Requests for February:
For SOAR: Pray for God to provide workers for our organization. Personal: Pray for health and renewed strength for our family in this season. For Mission Candidates: Pray for God to provide for their financial needs.
Prayer Requests for 2025:
Pray for God’s guidance in all the decisions we face throughout the year.
Pray for spiritual growth and deeper faith for each member of our family.
Pray for God’s provision to meet our ministry’s financial needs.
This year at SOAR has brought many changes—some challenging, some exciting—but through it all, we’ve continued to rely on God for guidance and direction. In March, we successfully hosted the IAMA conference, a significant undertaking that required everyone’s efforts, but we were grateful for the opportunity. Also in March, we partnered with Convoy of Hope to host the Mission Aviation Banquet at their facility. This amazing event introduced mission aviation to the Springfield community in a meaningful way.
IAMA conference in March 2024
In April, part of our team attended Sun N Fun in Florida, and in July, we participated in EAA AirVenture alongside our new advocate, Mark Hillenburg. Both events were fruitful in helping us accomplish our goals. October brought another exciting partnership with Ethnos360 Aviation, where we hosted an event to connect the local community with mission aviation. This was a fantastic experience with a great turnout! In December, we wrapped up the year by participating in Light the Park, where we had the chance to engage with the Bolivar community in a fun and festive setting.
EAA AirVenture July 2024
Our mission candidates have made incredible progress this year. Bailey earned his instrument rating, Madeline achieved her A&P license, and Josh is moving forward in his application process to join a mission organization. We also welcomed the Penner family to SOAR and began the partnership development process with two additional families, whom we hope will join us in 2025.
As we look ahead, please pray for us to continue seeking God’s direction in all that we do. We are confident that He is leading our steps, and we remain committed to staying in His will above all else.
Whittingtons through 2024
This year has brought its share of ups and downs for our family. Following God’s direction, we relocated to Bolivar in March. The move proved to be more challenging than we expected—not because of the physical transition, but because of leaving behind a community we deeply loved and that had loved us so well for 16 years. Adjusting to our new community has been slower than we hoped, but we’re praying for that to change in the coming year and trusting God to build new relationships around us.
Transitioning to our new home in Bolivar.
Jo has quickly settled into our neighborhood and made plenty of new friends—she even learned to ride a bike this year! After graduating from Kindergarten in the spring, she’s now thriving in 1st Grade. Bella joined us at the IAMA conference and EAA AirVenture, and we couldn’t be more proud of her. Her servant’s heart continues to amaze us, and she has grown so much. She’s learning to lead worship at co-op and in the local youth group, and it’s been a joy to watch God work in her life.
Bella and Jo have grown so much this year. We couldn’t be more proud.
We’ve started attending a local church. Please pray for us as we seek to find where we can best serve here. After years of being involved in areas like production, photography, youth, kids, and the worship team, we’re seeking God’s direction on how and when to get involved again.
Through it all, God has been working in us, and we trust that nothing—whether good or hard—will go to waste in His hands.
When God’s answer is No (Deb)
This morning, as I sipped my coffee and scrolled through Instagram posts reflecting on 2024, I found myself wondering if there was anything I could share from this past year. I wanted to highlight something positive, but the truth is, this year has been incredibly hard. As many of you know, I have been living with Lupus for nearly 15 years—January 2025 will mark that milestone. The journey has been filled with both ups and downs, but the constant pain can wear down not just your body but your spirit and will. In May, we had a glimmer of hope. My hair was growing back, and although I was in pain, it wasn’t as severe as it had been. But as summer progressed, stress and medication issues caused my health to take a turn for the worse. By the fall, I was mentally and physically exhausted, and the pain had become unbearable. So, we decided to turn to another medication that is harder on your system and is injectable at home.
For years, I’ve prayed and believed for healing, but God’s answer has consistently been “not yet.” I’ve struggled with this response, but I’ve also leaned into the goodness of who God is. I know He mourns with me in my pain, as this brokenness isn’t what He desires for me any more than I do. We navigate the brokenness of this world, longing for the wholeness that is yet to come. In these moments of pain, I find myself resting in the truth from this verse.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10: “Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Each year, this disease takes a little more of my strength and who I am, but I remain rooted in Him. He is my strength, my hope, and my promise of wholeness. I long for the day when there will be no more tears or pain.
As we step into 2025, we’re making changes to better manage my health. Please join us in prayer—for wisdom for the doctors, for direction and relief, and for our hearts to be renewed this year.
Prayer Requests for January:
For SOAR: Pray for wisdom and unity as SOAR continues to equip missionary aviation candidates. Personal: Pray for health and renewed strength for our family in this season. For Mission Candidates: Pray for perseverance and clarity as they prepare for mission field service.
Prayer Requests for 2025:
Pray for God’s guidance in all the decisions we face throughout the year.
Pray for spiritual growth and deeper faith for each member of our family.
Pray for God’s provision to meet our ministry’s financial needs.
As we spend our first summer in Bolivar we are learning new routines and rhythms. The neighborhood we moved into is great. It has been a blessing for Jordis to have friends who live close by and love to ride bikes as much as she does. It’s hard to get her to stay and play in our own yard, she spends more time in the neighbor’s yard.
We are trying to set a new routine of having friends or family over once a week. One of the main reasons we moved closer to our ministry is to be able to build a closer community. Not only with those at SOAR but for more margin to spend time with you guys our fantastic community of partners! If you want to come up for dinner or coffee send us a message and we will make it happen!
New to us Airplane
As we look to the future of evolving technology we want to make sure that our mission candidates are trained on the latest equipment that we have access to. Many aircraft on the mission field are equipped with a full glass avionics suite, instead of individual gauges that display just one piece of information. Through a partnership with LeTourneau University in Texas, we were able to purchase a 2016 Cessna 172. This advanced avionics training aircraft will help our mission candidates be better equipped to transition into aircraft that will be on the mission field. This was SOAR’s largest purchase to date. If you would like to give financially to a special project, we will allocate those funds towards this aircraft. Reach out to us if you would like more details.
EAA Airventure
This year was a special year for us at Airventure. We were able to take Bella along with us. No free rides though, she served in the MASA(Mission Aviation Support Association) tent. This team is a huge blessing to all of the mission aviation groups. They provide daily meals, housing, transportation, and any other needs that may arise during the week. Bella worked in the meal tent for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She loves to serve and we were proud to watch her serve the missionaries throughout the week in this way.
Taking on More Responsibilities and Long Term Planning
Over the past couple of years, Seth and Kerrick have been planning on what the long-term future of SOAR looks like. Seth has been assuming several of the operational responsibilities and learning the foundational tasks that it takes to run the SOAR business. As the skills have developed over the past couple of years more and more emphasis has been placed on Seth’s role in this area. Last month Seth’s official role changed from just Flight to Chief Operating Officer. While the responsibility of the flight department and flight instruction hasn’t changed this positions SOAR for the future generations of SOAR.
Prayer Requests for the September:
1. School and New Friends: As we begin another school year please pray for our girls. We are hoping to narrow down a church and we are praying that they transition well and make new friends.
2. Missionary Candidates: Lift our missionary candidates who are currently undergoing training and preparation for their future service in the mission field. Pray for the ones who have not decided on the organization they are joining.
3. Financial Provision: Join us in prayer for our financial needs at SOAR. Pray that God would provide abundantly, enabling us to meet our monthly budget and move closer to our financial target. Ask for open doors, divine connections, and generous hearts to support our ministry financially.
Prayer Requests for 2024:
1. Global Impact: Pray for an increased impact of our missionary pilots and mechanics in reaching unreached areas with the Gospel. Ask God to open doors for strategic partnerships, favorable relationships with local communities, and effective ministry opportunities. Pray lives would be transformed, and communities would be impacted through our ministry.
2. Spiritual Growth: Please pray for our personal spiritual growth and deepening relationship with God. Pray that we would have a hunger for His Word, a fervent prayer life, and a sensitivity to His leading. Ask for a greater understanding of His will for our lives and the strength to walk in obedience.
3. Wisdom in Decision-making: Seek God’s wisdom on our behalf as we make important decisions personally and professionally. Pray that we would have the discernment to make choices that align with His will and bring glory to His name. Ask for clarity, guidance, and confidence in the path that God has set before us.
Left: Jolene Erlacher is a leading researcher on Gen Z and has given us some great direction for Mission Aviation. Right: Our mission candidates were also able to connect with mission agencies from all over the world.
March and April have flown by this year, largely marked by our involvement in the IAMA conference. This year, we were excited to host 38 agencies in Bolivar, Missouri. Among our guest speakers were Jolene Erlacher, author of “Mobilizing Gen Z,” and Ryan Batchelor, Leadership Consultant at the Table Group. Additionally, we had the privilege of hearing from several speakers representing organizations pioneering innovation in Mission Aviation, along with those highlighting field and local needs. While the week left us feeling exhausted from the rigors of hosting, it also left us invigorated by the momentum driving Mission Aviation forward.
Left: We were honored to have our pastor share at the conference this year. Right: It’s amazing to watch this community surround the next Generation of Mission Aviators and cover them in prayer.Bella this year chose to help us during the event. We loved being able to watch her serve others so willingly.Heath Adamson shared at the dinner that was hosted at Convoy of Hope.It was a lot of fun to share some local favs like Leong’s (The original cashew chicken) and Andy’s Frozen Custard.
In a bold move, SOAR ventured into new territory by partnering with Convoy of Hope to introduce Mission Aviation to Southwest Missouri in a first-ever Community Banquet. The event proved to be a success, providing a platform for various Mission Aviation Groups to share their stories with the local community. It was a bit surreal to have both our local community and our mission aviation community collide. Convoy of Hope graciously hosted our banquet, with Heath Adamson, Senior VP of Global Program at Convoy of Hope, sharing a bit about Convoy of Hope and some words with our guest. The event also provided an opportunity to connect Convoy of Hope with Missionary Aviation organizations that can assist them in their service endeavors both locally and abroad.
Left: The Mission Aviation community sharing with our friends and family. Right: Dinner with the community.We were so honored to have the presence of numerous family friends here with us. While we regret not capturing a photo with each of you who came to show your support, please know that we are immensely grateful for the encouragement you provide us.
Kids and Missions
Another aspect of our packed schedule this month involved engaging with our home church’s children and sharing about our work. This is by far one of our favorite things to do in ministry. From preschoolers to sixth graders, we explained what mission aviation entails and how SOAR contributes to spreading the Gospel worldwide. If your church is interested in learning more about Mission Aviation, please reach out to us. We’re always eager to connect and share our journey, illustrating how God utilizes aviation for His purposes.
Welcome to Bolivar… Kind of
Last, our recent months have also been busy due to our relocation to Bolivar, which has been a time of adjusting to new rhythms. While Bolivar isn’t the smallest town we have lived in, it is notably smaller than Springfield where we lived for 17 years. Additionally, frequent trips to the Springfield area for school, church, and other commitments have kept us on the move. However, the tranquility of small-town living has been a welcome change for our daughters, with Jordis mastering bike riding in the driveway and Bella exploring the neighborhood freely. Although our new home is smaller, we view it as an opportunity for hospitality and community. Despite still unpacking boxes, we are trusting in God’s guidance and peace as we acclimate to this new chapter of life. Please be praying for us as we end the semester and things become more final.
Last month we mentioned that we would be attending a Train The Trainer event in Waxhaw NC. Last week we attended the event and it was a great time of collaboration. Two days of training on several topics were covered that will help us be better trainers. We learned how to communicate more clearly, identify attitudes and influences that are affecting the learning process, and how to be safer by helping our students critically think. This was just the first of many training events to come. Thanks to JAARS for hosting, and all the other schools like SOAR that attended. This shows their commitment to using aviation to spread the Gospel.
Seth and Madeline are ready for another day of class.
A Big Move
For some time now we have been feeling the pull to make a big change for our family. One of the prayers for our work at SOAR was that we could build community with the people there. This has been more difficult than we ever imagined. We expected the culture to be similar to Springfield, where it is not uncommon for people to drive 30 to 40 minutes daily. However, living life together so far from each other’s living rooms has made this challenging. We understood that navigating life together might present challenges, yet the full extent of the issues only became apparent during a Fall meeting, where numerous relationship struggles and concerns at SOAR surfaced. Our hearts were heavy and broken and we felt God confirming that this was the direction we needed to go, knowing all that we would have to change. So with much prayer, counsel, and hope we decided to move to Bolivar. We will continue to be at our home church until the Summer to finish out the semester. Please be praying for our family. This is a big change for our girls and there are mixed feelings about this. We are sad to be leaving so many people and things that are so familiar with but we are pressing into the Lord for his peace as we make this huge adjustment for our family.
Somehow by the grace of God, we have managed to reach our third year in ministry. It seems to have flown by and gone slowly all at the same time. Thank you for another year with us as we launch into a new exciting season of ministry. We have some big plans for the year and here are a few that you can be praying for.
Cessna 206 advanced high-performance checkout
CFI-I ( Instrument Instructor)
Implementing the KSAs and Professional Behaviors (Soft Skills)
An Icy January
January is a mixed bag when it comes to flying weather. This year January has been filled with ice and freezing temps. We have been blessed to stay warm and not have to get out into these frigid temps. This means Seth is not doing much flying. But that doesn’t mean it has been slow. This has been a great opportunity to begin implementing KSA’s (Knowledge, Skills & Attributes) into flight training and moving in that direction. The focus on attributes (soft skills) allows us through technical training to evaluate how they will handle real-world issues. It also gives us a measurable way to track progress in this area.
Wedding Season?
This month we were busy celebrating some special days with two special couples. Josh one of our mission candidates who is specializing in Maintenance met his sweet wife Bethany during his time in our program. The other was a special and old friend of ours. We so loved celebrating this time with both couples and it was nice to have an excuse to dress up.
Coming up!
Feb 22-24 JAARS- Train the Trainer event in Waxhaw, NC: This is the first event coming out of the MAST (Mission Aviation Specific Training) summit to help us standardize as flight instructors in this mission aviation community.
March 12-14 IAMA Conference (International Associaton of Missionary Aviation)- This is exciting that for the first time, we will host this annual event in Bolivar. Stay tuned for more details about how you can be involved
I am sure you all have been wondering where we have been. The fall historically has been a busy season for Deb but this year was especially busy. She has taken on some extra work to help fill some of the gaps financially. This means some things at SOAR for her have taken a back seat to make sure our family is taken care of. That being said a lot of things have been happening this fall at SOAR and we are excited to share what is new and how God is using SOAR to make our Mission Candidates (students/missionaries) ready to serve on the field!
Closing out the Season
Moving out of the busy summer season the fall brings some reprieve from busyness in all aspects. We are finishing the airshow and conference season strong and are thankful for the relationships built with new potential candidates and the strengthening of the partnerships with other mission organizations. Seth and Jordis headed to Nashville, TN for the last scheduled conference of the year. This was a quick one-day event that is missions focused, it is a free event for the local community. The event allowed us to share about and represent SOAR and the work we are doing.
School is back in Session!
As many of you know we homeschool our kiddos and in the fall we began our 10th year of Homeschooling. That’s crazy to us! Bella started High School and Jordis is in Kindergarten. Bella also participated in volleyball, student council, & worship team at both church and Co-op. This has made for a very busy season but we have loved watching her grow in her skills and gifts.
WELCOME SKYLER & NICKI!
We are so excited to welcome Skyler and Nicki Redding our newest MC. Skyler and Nicki will be joining SOAR to begin their preparation for serving in missionary aviation. He was raised in Iowa and always knew the importance of missions. While attending Ethnos360 Bible Institute, God put it on his heart to pursue mission aviation. Skyler and Nicki met while at the Bible Institute and they were married in March of 2023. Once they have finished raising support and moved to Bolivar, Skyler will be training to earn both his A&P and his pilot’s license. Deb has been working closely with them on partnership development and it has been fun to watch them grow in this area and we at SOAR are thrilled to welcome them to our program.
MAST (Mission Aviation Specific Training)
I know, another acronym! While aviation is already full of acronyms SOAR wanted to muddy the water a little more by adding another! Seth and Kerrick began the year trying to focus on where we are taking the SOAR flight department in the future. We felt a sense of need for clarity in how the mission originations were viewing the candidates and their level of readiness when they were being evaluated coming out of our program when we reached out to other mission aviation training programs that were feeling the same thing. What started as a collaboration between Seth, Kerrick, and a representative from JAARS (The main mission aviation evaluation organization) turned into a summit with several training programs being represented held at Bolivar. We determined and made a list of 3 main objectives. We all need to accomplish these to make sure that all of the organizations that are training missionary aviators need to focus on them. Making sure the candidates are ultimately successful in reaching the mission field. These are: 1) Mission Aviation Candidate Testing and Evaluating Standards(When Training is completed. 2) Train The Trainer (T3) (Standard Training for all mission aviation CFI’s). 3) Standardized Mission Aviation Curriculum. Number 3 is near and dear to Seth as you will remember that God put this on his heart early on to make sure we are training with lots of intentionality. We will keep you guys posted on the progress of this as it moves forward. We have follow-up meetings scheduled in Kansas City in December and Waxhaw NC in February.
Prayer Requests for the December:
1. December MAST Meeting: Pray for safe travels as we attend another meeting in December. Also, pray for wisdom and continued cooperation between missionary aviation organizations to push forward on creating a standard for future students.
2. Missionary Candidates: Lift our missionary candidates who are currently undergoing training and preparation for their future service in the mission field. Pray for the ones who have not decided on the organization they are joining. Pray that this time at AirVenture creates clarity and direction for them.
3. Financial Provision: Join us in prayer for our financial needs at SOAR. Pray that God would provide abundantly, enabling us to meet our monthly budget and move closer to our financial target. Ask for open doors, divine connections, and generous hearts to support our ministry financially.
Prayer Requests for 2023:
1. Global Impact: Pray for an increased impact of our missionary pilots and mechanics in reaching unreached areas with the Gospel. Ask God to open doors for strategic partnerships, favorable relationships with local communities, and effective ministry opportunities. Pray lives would be transformed, and communities would be impacted through our ministry.
2. Spiritual Growth: Please pray for our personal spiritual growth and deepening relationship with God. Pray that we would have a hunger for His Word, a fervent prayer life, and a sensitivity to His leading. Ask for a greater understanding of His will for our lives and the strength to walk in obedience.
3. Wisdom in Decision-making: Seek God’s wisdom on our behalf as we make important decisions personally and professionally. Pray that we would have the discernment to make choices that align with His will and bring glory to His name. Ask for clarity, guidance, and confidence in the path that God has set before us.
It’s that time of year again – July brings the excitement of EAA AirVenture in OshKosh, WI. As in previous years, we are excited to attend AirVenture to share the mission of SOAR and the significance of Mission Aviation as a whole. This year, our presence at the air show will be even stronger, with more of our staff and candidates joining us to create connections with other missionary organizations. Our primary goal is to foster relationships and partnerships within the mission aviation community. Additionally, we believe that God can use this event to intersect our path with individuals who have a calling for mission aviation and may consider joining SOAR. While the show itself is filled with fun and excitement, it also demands long days and continuous conversations. Please pray that God would use this event to open doors and create meaningful discussions for our current mission candidates, as well as for sharing the Gospel with those who have yet to know Jesus.
Stay connected with us throughout the week by following us on social media. If you’re planning to attend AirVenture, we would be thrilled to connect with you. Feel free to message us and let us know when you’ll be there so we can arrange a meet-up. We would love the opportunity to connect with our partners.
Taking it to the next level.
Since January of this year, Deb has been involved in coaching our mission candidates in Partnership Development. This area of readiness has been in her heart since the day we joined SOAR. We understand that without dedicated partners in prayer and financial support, serving on the mission field can be exceptionally challenging. Building a strong partnership team is no easy task, and while Deb has been using her skills effectively, we believe that additional training is needed to elevate this area within SOAR. Your prayers are crucial as we discern the best approach for enhancing our partnership development efforts. It may entail considering opportunities for Deb to attend classes during the busy fall or spring seasons, which will require time away from our family. We are committed to advancing mission aviation and equipping our mission candidates to make a lasting impact in unreached areas of the world. Your continued prayers and encouragement are appreciated as we strive to grow and serve.
Prayer Requests for the July:
1. AirVenture: Please pray for our leadership team as they travel to Osk Kosh, WI. Pray that our conversations with sending organizations are productive and move SOAR forward in the mission he has called us to.
2. Missionary Candidates: Lift up our missionary candidates who are currently undergoing training and preparation for their future service in the mission field. Pray for the ones who have not decided on the organization they are joining. Pray that this time at AirVenture creates clarity and direction for them.
3. Financial Provision: Join us in prayer for our financial needs at SOAR. Pray that God would provide abundantly, enabling us to meet our monthly budget and move closer to our financial target. Ask for open doors, divine connections, and generous hearts to support our ministry financially.
Prayer Requests for 2023:
1. Global Impact: Pray for an increased impact of our missionary pilots and mechanics in reaching unreached areas with the Gospel. Ask God to open doors for strategic partnerships, favorable relationships with local communities, and effective ministry opportunities. Pray lives would be transformed, and communities would be impacted through our ministry.
2. Spiritual Growth: Please pray for our personal spiritual growth and deepening relationship with God. Pray that we would have a hunger for His Word, a fervent prayer life, and a sensitivity to His leading. Ask for a greater understanding of His will for our lives and the strength to walk in obedience.
3. Wisdom in Decision-making: Seek God’s wisdom on our behalf as we make important decisions personally and professionally. Pray that we would have the discernment to make choices that align with His will and bring glory to His name. Ask for clarity, guidance, and confidence in the path that God has set before us.
I feel like I have been saying this for the last few newsletters but this month has been busy! I am going to do my best to keep this brief.
IAMA Conference 2023
We recently had the privilege of attending the 52nd Annual IAMA Conference hosted by LeTourneau University in Longview, TX. This event brought together mission aviation professionals. This provided a platform for knowledge-sharing, networking, and collaborative discussions. Our time at the conference proved to be an inspiring and enlightening experience, reinforcing the vital role of aviation in advancing global missions. From talks on bridging the generational gap to industry insights and technological advancements, we are confident that the impact of the conference will be impactful throughout our ministry and beyond. We look forward to implementing the insights and lessons learned, furthering our mission to reach the unreached.
Julia’s SOLO
One of Seth’s goals before July was to get Julia to the solo stage of her training. There were many ups and downs for both of them but they worked and pushed forward to accomplish this goal. On June 13th Julia was able to solo her first flight. Her next goal will be to get her Private Pilot certificate. This accomplishment represents not only her personal growth and dedication but also signifies the progress we are making in training and equipping qualified Missionary Pilots.
Bailey’s Private
Another goal for Seth was to get Bailey done with his Private Pilot training. On June 16th Bailey took his check ride and received his Private Pilot certificate. Bailey continues to push toward his goal of getting to the mission field. While he still has 2-3 more certifications he is one step closer to it this month. These achievements demonstrate the tangible ways in which we are empowering individuals to become proficient pilots, ready to serve in the mission field.
AJ’s CFII
AJ is officially an Ethnos360 missionary! We have enjoyed having him back for the summer after 9 months of training with Ethnos 360 in Camdenton Mo. He and his family are a blessing to have at SOAR. On June 16th AJ also took his check ride for his CFII certification and passed. This was one of his final goals to complete at SOAR and with Madeline’s help, he was able to finish up his flight training. In the next month, we will be sending him with our blessing to McNeal, Arizona, Ethnos360Aviation’s home base. It has been energizing to see the work God is doing and that we are sending more pilots and mechanics to the field. It is through such milestones and accomplishments that we witness firsthand the impact of our ministry, as lives are changed, communities are touched, and the Gospel is spread to the ends of the earth. AJ and his family are evidence of this.
Prayer Requests for the June:
1. Wisdom and Guidance: Please pray for our leadership team as they make important decisions regarding the growth and direction of SOAR. Pray they would be filled with wisdom, discernment, and clarity as they navigate various challenges and opportunities.
2. Missionary Candidates: Lift up our missionary candidates who are currently undergoing training and preparation for their future service in the mission field. Pray that they would be equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resilience to fulfill their calling. Ask for God’s protection, provision, and spiritual growth in their lives.
3. Financial Provision: Join us in prayer for our financial needs at SOAR. Pray that God would provide abundantly, enabling us to meet our monthly budget and move closer to our financial target. Ask for open doors, divine connections, and generous hearts to support our ministry financially.
Prayer Requests for 2023:
1. Global Impact: Pray for an increased impact of our missionary pilots and mechanics in reaching unreached areas with the Gospel. Ask God to open doors for strategic partnerships, favorable relationships with local communities, and effective ministry opportunities. Pray lives would be transformed, and communities would be impacted through our ministry.
2. Spiritual Growth: Please pray for our personal spiritual growth and deepening relationship with God. Pray that we would have a hunger for His Word, a fervent prayer life, and a sensitivity to His leading. Ask for a greater understanding of His will for our lives and the strength to walk in obedience.
3. Wisdom in Decision-making: Seek God’s wisdom on our behalf as we make important decisions personally and professionally. Pray that we would have the discernment to make choices that align with His will and bring glory to His name. Ask for clarity, guidance, and confidence in the path that God has set before us.
