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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Wings for Christ needs to write a Thank You letter or send some flowers to the people at Google Maps.

Let me explain…

About a year ago, the folks at Google added our airport to the area map of Waco. Ever since, we have been getting lots of calls from people interested in what we do. On February 26, 2011, some of those people came to visit the airport, learn more about us, and take a ride in Gracie.

Holly, Hannah, and Brittany, three friends from Liberty Hill, Texas, founded and co-write a blog about being twenty-something Christian women and what an adventure it is to seek God and live out faith every day. The blog is called “faith in between” and you can link to it here.

They were going to be driving through Waco on their way home from a women’s conference (or “feminar” as they called it) and spotted the airport on Google Maps. Visiting a mission flight academy was just the kind of thing they wanted to share with their readers, so after a few emails were exchanged, everything was set up for their visit, which would include a ride around the area in our Cessna 150 trainer.

Unfortunately, the weather was a little grim, with low ceilings. Not wanting to get caught away from the airport if things got below minimums, we kept the flights to the WfC pattern. The good news was that the air was like silk. Brittany and Holly had never flown in a small plane before, so a smooth ride was welcomed.

Each passenger got a low pass down the runway and then after another circuit a smooth landing. Advanced student pilot, Kelly Filgo (who received his private pilot certificate in 2009), was the pilot and really enjoyed the opportunity to introduce the guests to the airport. Also in attendance were flight instructor Monte Michael, student pilot Matt Dillon and his wife Kim.

Holly was very excited to go on her first small airplane ride and said she would tell her pastor back in Liberty Hill, who is a pilot himself, all about the visit. Hopefully we will create a long lasting connection with our new friends.

Thanks, Google Maps!

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On Saturday, November 13, 2010 we restarted an old Wings for Christ tradition, the annual fly-in. Several years had slipped by without one, but the memories of how much fun they were caught up to us and we just couldn’t let 2010 pass us by without doing it again.

Even though we only had three airplanes, we did have a great crowd. We served 50 hamburgers to over thirty people and had a great time meeting new friends. Two LaTourneau students drove in from Longview and a pilot came with his neighbor from the Dallas area. We invited them to drop in when we met them at the Reklaw fly in a few weeks earlier.

A few folks took time to try their hand at the flight simulator we set up for the day and lots of great hangar stories were told. Visitors had a chance to tour the worship center, Gracie’s hangar and the maintenance hangar.

We are planning to do this again this year, most likely in early October. 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of Wings for Christ, so make plans now to join us for the celebration.

A future pilot is ready for takeoff.

Some of the guests in the chow line.

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