Aviation Ministries

For over 40 years BIMI missionaries have been using aircraft as a valuable tool to aid in evangelizing isolated peoples and to establish indigenous churches. From Africa to Central America, from the islands of the Caribbean to remote villages in the far north of Alaska and Canada, BIMI missionary pilots have used their skills and aircraft to transport themselves, fellow missionaries and nationals to serve often forgotten people. They have not only proclaimed the Good News of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus but also have transported disaster relief, Christian literature, medical teams, and served as a supply line for the missionaries and nationals living in the tribal villages.

Outreach to Peoples Living in Remote Areas

It is unbelievable that there are still groups of people living in areas so remote that they are practically cut off from civilization and the Gospel. The LORD surely must have had them in mind when HE spoke of being “a witness to the uttermost.” HE has so graciously provided the airplane as one of the tools to help us reach these people for which HE died. BIMI Aviation Ministries has provided an outreach to peoples living in remote areas, such as the Maquiticare Indians and the villages of Togo, West Africa.

Maquiticare Indians of Venezuela

The Maquiticare Indians of the southern jungles of Venezuela are a living example of people living in isolated areas who have been served by missionary aviation. Without aircraft their villages are inaccessible except by the most primitive means. The 300-mile trip from the nearest city requires a 10-14 day journey on foot and by canoe. The same distance can be covered in about two hours in a Cessna 206 airplane. By using an airplane, missionaries are able to fly over the dense jungle, mountains, and rivers made treacherous by numerous water falls. Days of dangerous and physically taxing travel can be reduced to hours or minutes by plane.

BIMI missionaries, Clint & Rita Vernoy and their children, lived and served for more than nine years in the jungle village of Chajuraña in southern Venezuela. They depended upon the missionary pilots and their planes for transportation to and from their village, for food, medicine, and other necessary supplies. As a result of their ministry the Lord raised up an indigenous national church, a Bible institute and a small medical clinic. They were initiating steps to evangelize other villages when the government of Venezuela passed legislation prohibiting further flights into the jungle villages. The Vernoys and other missionaries ministering to the tribal indians were forced to leave the jungle villages. This, of course, meant the end of the aviation ministry in Venezuela.

This is a heartbreaking and tragic development. The souls saved, churches established and national workers trained and continuing on in the gospel ministry in the jungle villages all speak of the faithful ministry of the Vernoys. The concept of using aviation as a tool for evangelism and church planting was also confirmed.

Togo, West Africa

Having personally visited the Randy Alderman Family in Togo, West Africa Don Arnold can tell first hand that missionary pilots like Randy are special people. They are special because not only do they have a genuine love for the people they serve but they also have a love for aviation. The Cessna U206, which Randy flies some 400 hours a year with its powerful 300-horse power engine, huge oversize tires, six seats and long range fuel tanks is the ideal airplane for the task. The STOL kit (short takeoff and landing) is a welcome modification. Though God has blessed with wonderful equipment, it is still the man of God and his message of salvation through faith in the LORD JESUS CHRIST that makes the plane the valuable tool it is to give wings to the Gospel. The demands of flying on the mission field are many, but every effort is worthwhile when another soul is saved, another church planted or another life saved through an emergency medical flight. The airplane is vital to Randy’s ministry.

Objectives of BIMI’s Aviation Ministries

Evangelism and Church-planting

At BIMI we recognize there are good aviation organizations that exist to provide “air taxi” service for the missionaries serving in places beyond the reach of conventional means of transportation. We thank God for them and have benefited greatly from their service. BIMI Aviation Ministries does not intend to compete with these organizations. Our objectives are evangelism and the establishment of indigenous churches. Because the ministry of the Word is the first calling of our aviation personnel, they can partner effectively with the national evangelists, church planters and other BIMI missionaries in the preaching ministry. At times the pilot’s ministry is one of assistance. At other times he is directly involved in the matter of preaching and teaching with the results being souls saved and national churches established.

We have a great heritage at BIMI. Aviation has been used effectively to accomplish our goals of winning souls and planting churches. As we look back we are thankful for the blessings of God as seen in the prayers and financial support of many thousands of people like you. Even now we recognize the vital part that our supporting churches have had in helping develop and maintain the tribal aviation ministries. Presently additional personnel, equipment and funds are needed. It is our desire to see the ministry sustained and yet to also extend the aviation outreach to other fields. We seek your help.

Pray with us to the LORD OF THE HARVEST as we seek His provision in the matter of personnel, additional equipment and the finances to operate the tribal aviation ministries. Pray with us for effectiveness and safety. Pray for souls. Ask Him if and how He would have you to be involved with us in giving “wings to the Gospel.”

Considerations:
Most BIMI missionaries that have used aviation in support of their ministries have been preachers and church planters. Most have used the plane for transportation to and from the remote areas where they personally minister the Gospel of Christ. They have also used the plane to transport fellow missionaries, to transport supplies, and for emergency medical trips, etc.

BIMI does not pay a salary to missionaries, including aviation personnel. Because of the necessary on-the-field orientation that would be required for a pilot to be approved for service on a particular field, short-term service by pilots is not generally practical.

Qualifications:
1. Aviation personnel, generally, must meet the same basic spiritual and educational requirements as the other missionaries serving with BIMI. BIMI is interested in aviators who are missionaries first, aviators second.

2. We recommend and prefer that pilots hold a commercial and instrument pilot’s license and ratings with a minimum of 350 hours of PIC flight time. BIMI pilots do not fly “for hire” but the training and skills leading to a commercial license should mean they are better prepared. Safety is essential. The pilot that uses the plane to serve other missionaries would be held to a much higher standard than one who is limiting the use of the plane to his own ministry.

3. Depending upon the area of service and type of aviation ministry pilots may be required to take additional tactical training. This training involves operations from very short unimproved airstrips, mountain flying, etc.

4. An A&P mechanic’s rating is preferred. In some cases it would be required. It should be understood that the ability to troubleshoot mechanical problems and make repairs is the important consideration, especially in a remote or jungle situation. Not all foreign governments allow A&Ps to exercise their privileges as a mechanic.

At BIMI we are praying continually for missionaries that have the call of God in their lives, a pioneer spirit and the ability to use aviation as a means to carry the Gospel of Christ to the peoples that live in remote areas. We are praying for the development of evangelistic, church- planting, aviation ministries in Alaska, Canada, Africa, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.

BIMI Missionaries serving in aviation ministries:

Randy Alderman - Togo, W. Africa
Bob Green - Director of Aviation Ministries