For those of you who are new to our journey, we thought we would share a couple of videos about who we are and what we do.
This is a video we created about us personally and the beginning of our Missions journey.
A little bit about us from when we began.
This video features Nathan White who completed his training through SOAR. Do you know someone who wants to become a missionary pilot? This is a great resource.
The journey of a missionary pilot from one of our former missionary candidates.
This video is about another organization, Ethnos360, where three of our Missionaries are serving. Church planting and bible translation are a big part of their work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi2xVzWqxVg
We are so grateful to be a part of SOAR and to be able to partner in the work that these organizations are doing.
These are the faces of those we have sent from SOAR. Pray for them as they serve all over the world.These are our current missionary candidates. Please pray for them as they work on gaining the skills, knowledge and attributes to serve on the mission field.
Looking Foward into 2023
Training new flight students from the start is both rewarding and nerve-racking. For the last 3 weeks, Seth and Bailey have been working hard on Bailey’s first flight milestone, his first solo. The weather has been challenging with freezing conditions and high winds limiting the days that are beneficial for Bailey this early in his training. Pray that in the next weeks, he can achieve this milestone. Seth will also begin working on his CFII rating which will allow him to teach pilots to fly in instrument conditions.
Seth and Kerrick Tweedy our CEO have been working together weekly to teach Seth some of the business aspects of SOAR. This allows Seth to take some of the daily operational load from Kerrick and allows Kerrick to do more strategic partnership and relationship building. Kerrick has taken up the role of helping the International Association of Missionary Aviation(IAMA) as CEO to help guide the overall industry to new horizons. This doesn’t interfere with his role at SOAR but it helps it. It aligns with our vision as SOAR to be more intentional in providing readiness to non-traditional candidates.
Top Left: Our first day Jan 2021. Top Right: Kerrick and Seth sharing SOAR’s story. Bottom Left: Bailey and Seth. Bottom Right: IAMA’s tent at EAA AirVenture.
When we began this journey 2 years ago we weren’t quite sure what God had in store for us. As we begin this new year we are looking back to see how God has been faithful. From getting us here on his time to launching mission candidates. In all of it, he has proven that he is doing the work at SOAR. As we begin this next year please pray for us. Pray for unity within our team. Pray for God’s Will, that it would be the direction we are constantly aiming for. Pray for our missionary candidates currently training, and the missionaries we have launched to the field. Pray for safety. Pray for families and marriages. Pray that God’s name is made big both here at home and abroad. We are so thankful we get to partner with him in what he is doing. We are so thankful for those of you who have chosen to partner and help us do what God has called us to. We could not do it without you.
• That God brings clarity and unity and we are able to find direction as a leadership team. • That Seth is able to get his CFII done this year. • That God grows and shapes our candidates to be used on the field and that he opens doors for them to be able to serve.
Ways you can be praying for us in February:
• That God will continue to provide the remaining partners needed. • That we can make time for family. • That God shows us direction for the next season here at SOAR.
Growth is something that is hard. No matter how big or small it can be painful and difficult. This year SOAR has experienced a lot of growth. We were added as staff in January, and with that comes extra roles and jobs that need oversight and consistency. These changes have come with growing pains for SOAR but God has been faithful to lead. We are constantly reminded that this is his mission and we are partnering with him.
This year SOAR adjusted their tagline to better align with what we believe God has called us into. Mission Aviation Readiness is a statement about our commitment to not just give our candidates the technical skills, but also the life skills needed for a missionary in the field.
This year our doors received a much needed facelift with our new tagline.
It was a productive year for our current candidates and alumni during this year! Here is a recap of what has happened with them. Candidates Abi McWhorter: became licensed Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic, became rated as Certified Instrument Flight Instructor, attended a summer internship with Send in Alaska. Matt McWhorter: passed his commercial checkride, became licensed Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic, attended a summer internship with Send in Alaska. AJ Hollaway: received his high-performance endorsement, passed his commercial checkride. Phillip Sneed: received his high-performance endorsement, earned his instrument rating, Josh Hamilton: joined SOAR. Madeline Hooks: joined SOAR, received her high-performance endorsement, reached 1000 hours of flight time. Alumni Jeremy & Blinda Dunn: moved to Papua New Guinea to serve with Ethnos360. Nathan & Kayla White: began training to serve in Mexico for UIM. Lance and Caitlin Rensberger: Lance gained R66 helicopter training and continues to serve with Ethnos360 at McNeal, Arizona. Fred and Lydia Holcomb: Fred is continuing to serve at MARC in Alaska through flight instruction and aircraft maintenance.
We are so glad to be a part of their lives and we have loved getting to cheer them on as they work towards their goals.
This year SOAR has grieved the loss of one of our volunteer instructors.
We along with other SOAR staff attended Oshkosh in July. We were able to create relationships with other Mission organizations and connect future missionaries.
Our candidates continued their maintenance training throughout the year through working on SOAR and customer aircraft. SOAR’s aircraft received much needed upgrades and our customers were able to receive quality work.
During 2021 Seth was able continue his IFR training. He has currently passed his written portion and is scheduled to complete the oral and flight portion in the next few weeks. Seth has also been able to utilize his background in construction to help with much needed facilities maintenance and upgrades. Deb was able to utilize her Design and Marketing to help create videos, graphics and update our website.
Ways you can be praying for us in 2022
• That God cultivates relationships and we are able to find direction as a leadership team. • That Seth and I are able to support our candidates as best as we are capable. • That Seth is able to finish his ratings and begin the work that he feels God has called him into.
Ways you can be praying for us in January:
• That God will continue to provide the remaining partners needed. • That we are able to balance all of our commitments. • That Seth is able to pass his IFR oral and flight exam.
