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By admin, August 8, 2009

Friends, I would like to tell you about a wonderful, new direction and vision that we, here at Wings For Christ want to share with you.

We have, in a humbling and yet awestruck way, realized that God has given us a strategic and valuable resource here in Central Texas, (Namely, WINGS FOR CHRIST!!), that is right in a major artery to the Latin Americas (and beyond) in the way of Mission pathways and resources.

A few years ago the Lord brought us a new friend here at Wings For Christ: Ron and Jackie Banks of Mission Aviation Fellowship. They are full time missionaries who have served in Venezuela for twelve years as a pilot/mechanic family. Ron now does Distance Learning Technologies for MAF Latin Americas, from his home just off the end of WFC runway!

In our Chapel/Prayer meetings here at WFC on Fridays at 8:30 AM (calling all intercessors!), we have really been seeking the Lord about new direction, relevance, and effectiveness for HIS KINGDOM growth. How can we, like Moses, use “what is in our hand”, to reach the lost for Jesus?
WE ALREADY HAVE:

• An Airport
• 3 Hangers
• An HQ/Chapel
• one Cessna 150 Trainer
• one Cessna 172 Instrument trainer (in pieces, but in restoration process)

And now we have a new way forward: an Initiative!

Introducing the Pilot and Aircraft Production Initiative or PAPI (you know how pilots love acronyms!)….
In our discussions and prayers Ron Banks brought up the fact that MAF and other agencies have identified a problem in several of the countries that they minister in….these countries are closing to the traditional Anglo or western missionaries due to growing anti-western sentiment and politics. Christian Mission Aviation Ministries are being kicked out. However, the indigenous Christian churches and their outreaches are still there and we can assist them to keep on flying, only now with their own Nationals and their own aircraft.
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This is where we at Wings For Christ can come in and assist. We feel the Lord wants us to partner with these interested national churches and missionary agencies in their respective countries and for them to send to WFC qualified, vetted, English speaking Christian Pilot/Mechanic applicants for us to train and build an inexpensive and easy to fly and maintain airplane called a Christavia (similar in size and capability to a C-172).
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We assist them in building the airplane, train them in it and then crate it up and send it and them back to their country of origin to fly Christian Missions with their sending church or agency and that entity now owns the aircraft, supports their missionary and mission and we have completed a process in moving Gods Kingdom forward!

There is a lot, and I mean a lot, more to it but that’s it in a nutshell and we want you to know about this and pray with us as to how and what God would have you to do in partnering with us on this worthy endeavor. A detailed copy of this initiative will be available on our new website soon. We really must hear from you!

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By admin, August 7, 2009

First off, please forgive the long drought of news since we last reported in January! There have really been some significant happenings since then.

Our Trainer, Gracie Bird finally got new digital “Flip-flop” radios and we are now able to fly in the clouds on Instrument flight rules, IFR. This means we can train instruments as well until we get the Cessna 174 “Berts Blessing” up and running.

We got new metal siding and roof on the Maintenance hanger! Joel New and Ron Banks are really happy about that as it doesn’t rain on them while they are working on airplanes now (inside!). A big thank you goes to Phil and Cheryl, Board Members at WFC.

Some medical issues grounded Monte for a season, but now he’s back up flying missions and training pilots. PTL!

Ron Banks got his “wings” back and is flying again and hopes to get his Flight Instructor status back soon. Way to go Ron!

Some major thank you’s go out to our volunteers and Board Members that have done so much in the way of airplane maintenance, hanger upgrade, fixing busted plumbing, runway grass cutting, clean up of hanger and grounds and so much more!

NAMELY:

Joel New, Bret Boyco, Ron Snyder, Ron Banks, Kelly and Ellen Filgo (Just Married!), Mike Anderson, Vinecio Salazar, Tim Banks, Phil and Cheryl Hull, Jimmy Bryant (TSTC Avionics), Charles Henry and Speegleville Christian Center.

Thank you Guys and Gals, We Love You!

Finally, we’d like to report that Jesus, Our Captain, instructed us to start up our weekly prayer flights at WFC and we have to date made four such flights in Speegleville Christian Center’s C-172. Thanks Bro. Charles!

We are also blessed that we have been able to serve a local Pastor Jeromy Connell of the Heart of Texas Cowboy Church by flying him out to Abilene, Tx, last week (8/4-6/09) and he was able to minister in a youth camp where 50-60 kids got saved by Jesus! We saved him 8 hours of driving time which he liked a whole lot!!

Well, as Pastor Jeromy says HAPPY TRAILS , for now!

Monte E. Michael,
Missions Coordinator/Chief Pilot
www.wings-for-christ.org

P.S. LOOK FOR OUR NEW WEBSITE SOON

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By admin, January 1, 2009

Dear Friends,

As I write to you all I am happy to say that God is a good God and that we at Wings For Christ thank Him on every remembrance of you and are here ready to continue into 2009 with service in Christian Missionary Aviation.

The vision and task of Wings For Christ here in Waco remains the same even though activity levels have diminished somewhat we are happy to report that we have two active flight students, one of whom has soloed the trusty Cessna 150 “Gracie Bird” and is on his way to his Private Pilot License! Way to go Kelly!

In other news since I last sent out a report in Sept., WFC was responsive during the aftermath of Hurricane Ike in the support of Shelter operations in Galveston and in the Bryan/College Station areas. I, Monte, was able to serve as a Chaplain in these venues, alongside Salvation Army and Red Cross in the populations needing disaster mental health and critical incident stress management. We were also able to pray with many for comfort and revelation into Jesus’ love and protection for so many. Monte was able to pray with one man in Galveston to receive Christ as Saviour! PTL!

Other areas of service include networking with Brother Glenn Wied of Galeana Mexico and Brother Lionel Smith of Christian Wings For the World in Ironton Mo. and Brother Randy Bauman of Alpha Aviation in Springdale, Ark. The product was Glenn getting workable used avionics in his Cessna 175 that is now airworthy and close to going to the Mission Field in Galeana with Glenn! Thanks to all involved…Thank you Lord for cooperative members of Your Body! We “got er done”!

In Closing, I want to remind those in the Waco area that are able and desirous, that we are resuming our Tuesday Prayer Meeting at 1pm to 2pm this upcoming Tues., Jan. 6, 2009, and you are welcome and needed to come and pray and fellowship. This is our regularly scheduled ministry service in which, in my opinion, the Heartbeat of the Lord is heard for Wings for Christ. The coffee will be on!

Thanks for a positive and productive 2008 and looking forward to what He has in store for us in 2009,
Sincerely,
Monte E. Michael
Chaplain/Chief Pilot
www.wings-for-christ.org
254-855-6785

P.S.: We are in great need of approx. $3000 to $5000 to upgrade the avionics (radios) in our trainer airplane “Gracie Bird”. Our Cessa 150 is a 1964 model and although she flies well, we have difficulties in communications and navigation with our older and often questionable avionics. Our students need exposure and experience in the newer and safer GPS navigation systems and the additional safety of reliable communications. Please pray and give to this need asap. Thanks. MM