A huge win!

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.

May 12, 2023July 20, 2023

A Busy Spring

Homeschoolers and a surprise visit!

Top-Left: Madeline sharing a little about aviation, Bottom-Left: Governor Parsons handing out medallions, Top-Middle: The governor and homeschool group in front of his airplane, Bottom-Middle: Kevin sharing his knowledge with some of the younger students, Right: coming in for a landing.

From time to time we have different groups come to the airport to tour the facilities. This past month we hosted a local homeschool group from Bolivar. We were able to show them the airport and some airplanes, while teaching them about mission aviation. While they were visiting we heard the Missouri Governor might be flying in. It is not abnormal for him to visit our airport as he has a house locally. However, we were not expecting him at the same time that the homeschool group was touring. We warned his security just in case there would be any security concerns. To our surprise, he wanted to stay and visit with the group. He let them tour his aircraft and gave them medallions. It was such a fun surprise for both us and the students.

Mail Drop and Simple Living!

Left: Little Truitt, Top-Left: Seth and Deb in front of the community space for this group, Bottom-Left: Inside AJ & Stephanie’s living space, Middle-Right: Our group visiting AJ’s home, Top-Right: Wood frames are all that is here when the families arrive, Bottom-Right: Stephanie decorated their home in scriptures inside and out.

This time of year at the Ethnos360 training center, the missionaries in training complete a Simple Living Experience. They are located in close to us Roach, MO. Several of our missionary candidates have chosen to serve with Ethnos360 so we are always excited to visit them near the end of their experience. Simple Living is 17 days where the students at Ethnos360 training center get to experience what it’s like to live in a remote village with their family. They are given a wood frame and they have to come up with the materials to live during these 17 days. Many families are young and have littles. During Simple Living this year, one of our missionary candidates, AJ, his wife Stephanie, and their 1-year-old little boy Truitt attended Simple Living. We were able to visit them during one of their last days. It was fun to see the house they built and all the things they rigged to make their space livable. During Simple Living SOAR partners with Ethnos360 to fly over and drop mail in the same way that many missionaries do on the field. The people living there do not have cell phone contact or access to any technology. So the letters they receive are a welcome encouragement to the families. AJ and his family have just finished the remainder of their training with Ethnos360 and have officially been accepted by their organization. Please pray for them as they begin their transition period.

This is a video Deb created in 2021 for the Mail Drop!

A new missionary trainee!

This month we welcomed Julia Cagasan to our group. She has been sent to us in partnership with JAARS to help her receive the flight portion of her training. This means that Seth will be finishing up Bailey’s Private Pilot at the same time he starts Julia’s Private Pilot. This makes for a busy season but we are grateful for God bringing us people that we will be helping send to the mission field.

Upcoming Events

Please pray as we plan for the IAMA conference. Pray for us as an organization to continue to create relationships as we connect with sending organizations. Also, pray that we personally will represent SOAR well to other organizations.

Help us make our Goal!

This year our goal number needs to increase to meet the impact of inflation on our family. This means we need to increase our partners. If you are currently a partner through either through prayer or financially would you consider 5 people who you think might want to hear about what we are doing at SOAR. We would also love to connect and share at your local church. If you are not currently partnering with us would you consider partnering with us through prayer or financially. Lastly, please pray that God will provide for our family to continue the work that He has called us to.

Ways to Give!

Ways you can be praying for us & SOAR in 2023

• 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 May:

• That God will continue to provide the remaining partners needed.
• For the Safety of Seth and the students he is training.
• That God shows us direction for the next season here at SOAR.

April 18, 2021April 19, 2021

Spring has sprung

Gratefully Full

What a great month this has been! With churches opening again, we have been able to visit more churches to help us finish our partnership goals. This is a new challenge for us to be speaking in front of large groups. We much prefer to be behind the scenes. We have been so blessed by the words of encouragement and prayer from these people. God has been using them to encourage us to keep moving forward and he has opened doors for us to meet with new partners. We are so grateful for the pastors and members who have taken the time to listen to our story.

We were so grateful to share our heart at His Place in West Plains, MO. The words of encouragement were so uplifting to us.

Thankful to Selmore Baptist in Ozark, MO for allowing us to share what God is doing and for the Q&A!

This month has also been a busy month. Seth has been flying with the instructors as often as the weather and his schedule will allow. The next rating he is working toward is his IFR(Instrument Flight Rules). This is one of the more difficult ratings to get. It is about 80% academic and 20% practical skills. Our instructors have been working him hard and we are grateful for that because the end goal is to be training competent mission aviators.

Deb has been working with the marketing team to help SOAR better define their message. This is exciting work, and the fruit of this will help other mission organizations and the general public understand what we do. SOAR has a unique role in mission aviation and she is enjoying helping them refine what that message looks like.

Seth and AJ scouting out a new grass runway in Arkansas.

SOAR is growing a lot in a short period of time. We have taken on several new members that will be a huge asset for us as an organization. This has brought some challenges in space and organization, but we are working through that. God has been sending some unique people to help us. Please pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our leadership as they try to understand what His vision is for this organization and how to steward the people that he is bringing for His glory.

Foundational Intentionality

One of my (Seth) current flight instructors is a very successful United Airlines pilot. He felt the call to missions at a young age but the opportunities never came. He is currently serving at SOAR two days a week coming alongside us to help develop the flight department. The thing I appreciate the most about him is his wisdom. It has taught him that the foundation of God’s word is essential, even in our everyday tasks. Yes, I know this idea sounds elementary but we begin each flight lesson with a foundation of Gods word. Sharing where we are individually in Gods word and how that applies to what we are doing. All this happens before we brief our flight or even talk about flying. I challenge you to try this in your everyday tasks and be amazed at the difference it will make.

Ways you can be praying for us:

• That God will continue to provide the remaining partners needed.
• That God will continue to create unity and a clear vision for what comes next with SOAR.
• That we will always be quick to give God all the glory for the work he is doing.