Mission Aviation Fellowship receives challenge grant of $1.7 m

The Mission Aviation Fellowship was awarded recently a $1.7 m challenge grant to fund the purchase of a KODIAK, an innovative aircraft that is designed to meet the unique needs of bush flying by missionaries to remote areas.

The grant donor, a longtime MAF supporter, will give the donation on the provision that another grant of equal amount is placed by a new donor before the end of this year, Religion News Service said.

In a separate development, MAF also received a grant of $750,000 to help complete prior funding for the addition of a sixth KODIAK to their existing fleet. By 2012 they hope to purchase seven more KODIAKS, Religion News Service reported.

President and CEO John Boyd said, “MAF is blessed to receive such generous financial support. We trust that others will be moved to contribute so that MAF can realize the full potential of these two valuable grants. The challenge grant essentially will provide two additional KODIAKs, if the challenge is met,” Religion News Service reported.

MAF is a Christian, nonprofit ministry that seeks to share Jesus Christ to people in isolated regions around the world through aviation and technology, according to their website. Boyd said the KODIAK was invaluable in their quick response to areas that were difficult to reach during the earthquake disaster in Haiti, according to Religion News Service.

KODIAK planes are cost effective and easier to operate. They carry a larger payload and operate on jet fuel that is more cost efficient and more easily available. They are invaluable in transporting aid to far-flung areas that are most in need, Religion News Service said.

Last year MAF initiated a move to replace their outdated Cessna 206s with the Quest Aircraft Co.-designed KODIAKs to facilitate their services to some 1,000 Christian humanitarian organizations in 41 countries, Religion News Service reported.

They have operated in countries throughout Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eurasia, helping to nurture churches, lend medical assistance, community development, disaster response, evangelism, indigenous training and development, according to their website.

Founded in 1945, MAF has also conducted thousands of emergency medical evacuations and provided satellite internet access, telecommunications services, electronic mail, high-frequency radios and other types of wireless systems, Religion News Service said.