The Wings for Christ family celebrated our 50th anniversary on October 8, 2011 at the Keith Hull Worship Center next to our airport. We shared good food, great fellowship and listened to many stories of lives spent serving our Lord. Chief pilot Monte Michael co-hosted the event with Development Director Kelly Filgo.

Gracie Bird and Mercy Bird made an appearance on static display, since both airplanes are in the middle of maintenance projects. One airplane braved the forecast stormy weather (which never materialized) and was proudly displayed right by the highway.

Many friends of Wings for Christ were there, both old and new. One gentleman from Arizona even dropped in as he was driving by on the highway. He said he saw airplanes and people and just had to find out what was happening. Isn’t it awesome that when we follow God, we are part of one big family?

Pastor and advanced student Rick Cobb gave testimony of how gaining his private certificate at WfC has directly improved his ministry of mentoring pastors at small rural churches all over Texas. Beginning student Matt Dillon and his wife Kim shared the story of how God led Matt to Wings when Kim applied to the Baylor Graduate School of Music, allowing both of them to pursue their callings at the same time. A letter was read from long time Wings friend Max Boggs, who couldn’t attend, but was there in spirit. Rick Caywood brought his big rig 18-wheeler, which he uses to haul freight to food banks all over the country, out for display. He also shared tales of God’s mercy and grace when he and Monte Michael were stranded for three days in west Texas by an ice storm during a long cross country flight.

Also in attendance were Glenn and Dorothy Wied. Glenn and Dorothy came all the way from Galeana, Mexico, where they serve churches and families, for the event. We were blessed to receive encouragement and inspiration from their story of God’s faithfulness in their lives during many years of service.

We also heard from several sporting “unscheduled” speakers that Brother Monte cajoled into giving testimonies as well. Many thanks to Ron and Jackie Banks, Ron and Sue Snyder, Greg and Vicki Smith, and Joel New, who all told their stories of involvement with WfC.

A special treat was listening to some wonderful bluegrass style gospel music as we were led into a time of worship with Waco musicians Dale and Lauren Barron, who graced us with their amazing talents. You can listen to one of their songs by clicking here.

Keynote speaker Brad Westom, former Wings staffer and current Mission Aviation Fellowship pilot, shared how the Lord’s call on our lives is the most important part of any mission. Brad also encouraged us to keep Wings from becoming a hobby, but rather that we stay willing to respond and work hard on our calling here. He challenged us to find out first hand that when we are about God’s calling we find energy and joy that we would never find on our own strength. You can listen to his entire message by clicking here.

The event closed with Barbara Hull giving an excellent history of Wings for Christ and encouragement to keep up the work that God placed on her husband Keith’s heart so many years ago.

All in all, we had a wonderful day of remembering our past, thanking God for the friends we have made along the way, and dreaming about our future. God has been gracious every step of the way.

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Maintenance on our airplanes may keep our students out of the air from time to time, but now they don’t have to stay out of the pilot’s seat. Thanks to a few very generous donors, Wings for Christ students now have their very own flight simulator at their disposal.

The simulator, Microsoft Flight Simulator X, is running on a brand new computer bought with funds raised specifically to be used for a student pilot educational tool. In addition to the flight sim, WfC has plans to add computer based FAA study guides for pilot and mechanic certification exams, weather and flight planning research tools, and any other resources that will benefit our students. The new computer is high-tech enough to run the flight simulator and has plenty of room to expand later, possibly with multiple monitors and accelerated graphics to provide an even more realistic experience. Another item donated was a yoke and pedal set that allows the virtual pilot to fly the sim just like a real airplane.

Board member Cheryl Hull was present to purchase the computer, monitor and software. She was amused, but not surprised, to find that the amount of money donated exceeded the purchase price by a mere four cents. “God provides just what we need, doesn’t He?” said Cheryl when the total was rung up. Moments like that keep us mindful that all of our provision comes from our Father and he does indeed provide what we need.

Another person excited about the possibilities opened up by this new tool is Ron Banks, valued WfC maintenance volunteer and experienced mission pilot. Ron has quite a nice simulator setup in his home and has offered his skills to help us get the most out of this new tool. One way to do that is to use advanced tutorial books like Microsoft Flight Simulator Real World Training.

More advanced topics demonstrate how the sim can be used as a continuing learning tool and how to simulate real-world emergencies. Chief Pilot Monte Michael says, “I see how this can be very useful in trying out new techniques on the simulator before doing them for real.” Doing that will translate to saved dollars on fuel and maintenance.

A real world example is when student pilot Kelly Filgo was trying to get the hang of the forward slip. “I just couldn’t figure it out. I think I was a little afraid of the maneuver, so I had a very hard time doing it correctly. I was getting very frustrated because my set-ups for landing were just horrible,” Filgo said. He started using a yoke and pedal set for his own flight sim software and it made a huge difference. “Being able to practice the uncoordinated flight on a computer helped me get the concept so that I could do it right in the air. Using a simulator saved me lots of money at the gas pump.”

Wings for Christ wants to thank the kind donors and friends who answered our call for the resources to purchase this great learning tool. You have helped our students take another step toward their calling and we thank you.

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From Pastor Rick Cobb, Journey Christian Community:

“Here is a summary of what Todd Lovett and I did. We departed March 1 from XA85, Cougar Landing (near China Spring, TX), at 8:30 a.m. in a plane that is much more experienced in going to Mexico than me, N7530T, Pastor Charles Henry’s plane.

We flew to Cotulla, TX, KCOT, refueled, and left for Saltillo, MX around noon. We arrived in Saltillo, MMIO, about 2 hours later with a warm reception from the Mexican authorities. Everything went smoothly, and the authorities were very helpful with this first-timer. After a 2 hour check in process, Glenn & Dorothy Weid picked us up and off we went to the real work. First stop was Pastor Eulogio’s home, where we were shown tremendous hospitality. Then Eulogio showed us the work he is involved with, 3 church plants, the beginnings of a medical clinic and orphanage, a soup kitchen and distribution of rice and beans.

After that amazing experience Glenn took us to their home, 2 hours driving time to Galeana. Dorothy was amazing, with such a sweet spirit and so gracious. In spite of her health problems she prepared meals and washed our clothes. Glenn took us to several churches in Galeana where Todd and I were given opportunities to testify and speak. Then each day we went to different mountain village churches, Agua Blanca, San Francisco, Solera, Buena Vista. Each village was filled with gracious people hungry for God.

After several days of ministry with Glenn, we went back to Saltillo, where we stayed with Don and Rosy Maggard. Again, we experienced amazing hospitality. One last stop before we returned home was Adrian Rivera’s church that is 1 year and 3 months old.

On March 10, with a beautiful weather window and tremendous memories of wonderful people, we left MMIO, Saltillo at 8:30 a.m. We stopped at KLRD, Laredo, TX to go through customs, which went very smoothly. After refueling we departed and flew home to XA85, Cougar Landing.

This mission trip happened because of the way God knitted together several relationships and opportunities associated with Wings for Christ. My flight instruction from Monte Michael, the plane I purchased from Charles Henry, connections made with former WfC student Glenn Weid and his wife Dorothy, and the mission perspectives gained during this trip to see the opportunities Wings for Christ has helped open for us.”

Wings for Christ wants to let Pastor Rick know that we have been so blessed by his time with us as well. It is so exciting to see how God puts the right people together in order to further His kingdom. We look forward to supporting Rick’s ministry work through aviation for many years to come.

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