So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. – Ephesians 4:11-13, NIV

When it comes to Christian leadership, we must be careful to hold our vision up for everyone to see, reminding them of our goal: To become more Christ-like and make disciples as we share the Good News of the Gospel. When Christian leaders focus on becoming more like our savior it ensures that the organization stays on-track—that ministry goals don’t become distilled into mere tasks and objectives.

If we aren’t growing, we can’t be effective in our going. Knowing that staff development is critical to any organization, MAF recently held a seven-day Leadership Conference to help our current and future leaders to obtain various “tools” that will allow them to hone their leadership skills. Eighty-six MAF staff gathered in Nampa to learn from other MAF personnel as well as university professors, pastors, and other ministry leadership experts. The learning sessions were excellent, but most valuable was the time spent praying, worshipping, and sharing with co-workers from around the world.

Matt Hannan, pastor of New Heights Church and one of our keynote speakers, discussed the various styles that leaders use when dealing with others. Some are truth tellers who aren’t afraid to call a spade, a spade. Others are grace givers who are more inclined to spare feelings. However, the most effective leaders are those who have a little of both, those who speak the truth, tempered with love. In doing this we become more like Christ, who is as truthful as he is loving.

The apostle Paul put it plainly:

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” – Ephesians 4:15-16, NIV

In our desire to be effective in our leadership we need to ask God to help us set aside our natural inclinations and seek a more Christ-like balance of truth and grace. As we do this, we will both empower people with the truth and give them the freedom to grow in their giftings.

A westerner glancing around any random section of Port-au-Prince can’t help but sense the overwhelming hopelessness exuded by the Haitians walking down the road and lingering in the crowded tent cities housing those who lost their homes in the earthquake. But then you notice a smile, a respite from the daily struggle. There’s a grin and then a laugh—and a face just lights up.

Consider the Apostle Paul’s words:

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” Philippians 4:11-12 (ESV)

What was Paul’s secret? How did he discover joy in Christ whether he was preaching to hundreds of people or unjustly sitting in a prison cell?

Being content is the secret. It’s how we experience the joy of the Lord in what others might consider horrible circumstances. Yet when we know that God has us in a place for a reason—and we seek to understand that reason and obey—we can find joy, too.

There are times when I reflect on my past assignment in Haiti with wonder. Only God could have given me the strength to endure there with a cheerful spirit. Then there were the times when I saw joy shining on the face of a Haitian who undoubtedly had a rough life. That’s when I was reminded that true joy is not found in “blessed circumstances” but in our diligence to obey God’s call, no matter where we are or what we are doing.

Mission Aviation Fellowship makes a long-term investment in our staff through extensive training prior to their departure for the mission field.  One of the most significant things we can do is prepare our team members for what they are going to face on the field, in terms of both technical skills and navigating different cultures. This commitment to training is one of the reasons why I have full confidence in the long-term future of MAF.

This year, MAF will take that commitment one step further by hosting its first Leadership Conference.  MAF staff from around the world will gather in Nampa, Idaho to learn from Godly teachers from both within and outside this organization.  Our leaders and future leaders will fill their “leadership toolboxes” so that they are better prepared to take this ministry into the future.

After a while, you realize that MAF is about much more than simply flying. It’s about magnifying Christ so that others seem Him in everything we do.  If we equip our team members to do that in an effective way—sharing the call and preparing them to carry it out—they will develop into productive leaders.  Consequently, this will have a long-lasting effect on the health of this ministry.

When I served in Haiti in the late 1990s, it was a difficult place. The challenges of daily living are extraordinary and pull even the most committed missionaries out of their comfort zone. And many of those challenges remain today.

Despite the difficulties of living there, during my recent trip to celebrate 25 years of MAF service in Haiti I saw signs of hope, signs that things are changing. And I also saw that MAF is needed in this small Caribbean nation more than ever.

The value of being present in such a dark place is immeasurable, both from a physical and spiritual sense. When people know you truly care about them, you can help them so much more. They trust you—and you empower and equip them.

Infrastructure is slowly improving and Haiti is progressing, but the value of MAF airplanes and our presence in the country was borne out through my conversation with the people I met. Over and over, those serving the Lord in Haiti told me how much they appreciate MAF and our ability to transport people safely and swiftly, so they can focus on doing work instead of taking a day to recover from traveling brutal roads.

The impact of MAF’s presence in Haiti for a quarter of a century was tangible. Relationships with Haitian workers and aviation officials are strong. The partners we serve in the interior of the country value our presence. And most importantly, all of this synergistic relationship means the Gospel is going forth to people who are desperate to hear it.

The demonstration—the “hands and feet” of Jesus—is happening in powerful ways.

In Papua, Indonesia, MAF delivered food to more than 55,000 people in an area suffering from severe flooding. In Kalimantan, more than 100 people were provided life-saving flights for medical emergencies.

In Haiti, MAF continues to support development and aid organizations as well as mission agencies rebuilding the country from the devastating earthquake two years ago. In Africa, we have supported the MozMed flying doctor service, provided critical air service for Doctors Without Borders in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and provided water to four villages through the Mali Well Drilling Project.

The Gospel is also being proclaimed through MAF.

In Africa, MAF helped an indigenous mission group in Lesotho translate God’s Story Project material into the Sesotho language. In the DRC, MAF also distributed Bibles to military camps. In Indonesia, MAF supports Bible translators as well as a large church that provides ministry support and training to Bible students.

MAF’s Learning Technologies team also helped equip Latin American church leaders from four language groups with oral strategy workshops, enabling ministers and lay leaders to share the Gospel in effective ways.

In 2012, the challenges continue to seem immense. Nothing is easy in the remote places where MAF works. There are even times when true change seems impossible. But the Gospel is going forth, good is being done, and seeds are being planted.

Fortunately, we aren’t doing any of this in our own strength. The impact that we make in any of these countries is a direct result of God working through and in his people—both MAF missionaries and those we so diligently serve—to shine the light of His love in places that are desperate for the Good News. We are excited about the opportunity to serve God again this year and see what amazing things He will do through willing vessels.

MAF President and CEO, John Boyd, and Barb Bowman go over last-minute details of today's 25-year celebration of MAF in Haiti.

This morning as I took a flight to visit some of our ministry partners that we serve in the city of Pignon, I was able to see many of the things I couldn’t see first hand when I served in Haiti as a pilot some 13 years ago. Due to our busy schedules as pilots, we rarely had extra time before we were off on the next flight.

MAF 25 year celebration ceremony in Haiti

As we celebrate 25 years in Haiti, it’s amazing to think about the place this nation of resilient people have come from. And after being here to witness it for myself, I’m even more excited about what God wants for MAF in Haiti for the next 25.

If we desire to honor God in every aspect of our lives, we must come to a place of balance. An even-keel approach is a healthier approach. Life is not a battle of the wills through which we must “soldier on” no matter how difficult things get. Asking God to give us wisdom, and trusting Him when life gets challenging, is a far more growth-inducing response than digging in to survive an onslaught. Getting worked up and anxious never solves anything.

Balance occurs when we prayerfully evaluate needs and commitments. Should we assist someone with their ministry simply because we were asked, and we feel bad for them? Or should we decline because that takes us away from our family for another night each week?

It’s important to grapple with such questions in an authentic way, staying focused on the current mission to which God has called us. To do so we must occasionally escape the frantic pace of life to connect with God and hear His heart for us. It’s what keeps us from straying too far off course.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. – Mark 1:35-39, NIV

Jesus could have spent every waking moment with needy people. But even Christ needed that time with God, that time to reflect and recharge. Instead of letting the busyness of life get the best of Him, Jesus maintained the balance He needed to fulfill the mission He had been sent to earth to do. May we also be so balanced in heeding God’s call.

I was born in Scotland and carry a U.K. passport, as do my daughters. My wife is South African, and my son is a U.S. citizen. Over the years we’ve become nearly expert at navigating the rules, regulations, and forms required for passport renewal. It can be quite an experience.

As I was scheduling a recent trip, I discovered that my passport had less than 90 days remaining on it. That meant I couldn’t plan any overseas travel until I had renewed my passport. It was yet another addition to the growing list of passport tips I’ve compiled.

Tip #1: Make sure you begin the process of obtaining your passport at least six months in advance. Expediting a passport can be expensive, though in my experience, if something can go wrong, it will when it comes to passport renewal. So, always plan ahead – far ahead – and be prepared to wait longer for the new passport to arrive than you might think.

Tip #2: Create a checklist. Governments can be quite persnickety when it comes to how passport forms are filled out. Make sure you give them everything they ask for, just like they ask for it.

Tip #3: Get your photo right. Each country has varying photo guidelines that accompany the passports they issue. So, take care to make sure your photos are properly formatted. (The U.S. even gives you this helpful guide for photos.)

Tip #4: Check everything thoroughly when you get your passport back. Passport mistakes are not out of the ordinary, and occasionally the passport agency will make an error. One wrong keystroke and you can land on a no-fly list or arrive at the airport and discover your passport is invalid. My birthday was once keyed in wrongly during a passport renewal process and I had to prove my birthdate all over again – even though it wasn’t my mistake. Correct these problems before you head for the airport.

Tip #5: Research requirements for where you are going. Many countries have different policies about entry and exit. New Zealand, for example, requires that you take the equivalent of $1,000 per 30 days you are there. Other countries require certain immunizations. Some countries require visas, while others don’t. Yet some countries do require visas for those staying longer than 30 days. It’s important to investigate these details properly so you don’t have your plans spoiled by inattention to detail.

Tip #6: Make several copies, and upload a digital copy you can access. In countries where crime can be a problem, having your passport stolen is a real possibility. To keep this annoyance from ruining your trip, always take an extra paper copy with you and store it in a separate place from your passport. It’s also helpful to scan a copy and upload it to a website that is accessible online from any computer connected to the Internet.

Tip #7: Create a passport renewal calendar for your family. Since children’s passports require renewal every five years, while adult passports are good for ten years, I keep a calendar with each child’s passport expiration date and back up 180 days (it used to be only 90 until my latest lesson learned) to ensure ample time to get the passport renewed.

The opportunity to see new countries and cultures can be a lot of fun, but you can lessen the stress of foreign travel through proper planning and careful attention to detail.

Resolutions require us to be resolute about following through. But being resolute isn’t always fun.

I’ve shared on this blog about my wife Tanya’s scrumptious cooking, especially around the holidays. It’s quite irresistible. We eat a delectable amount of fudge at Christmas—and then reality hits me. There are consequences for such indulgences.

Last week, I made the transition to eating more salads than fudge. And while I’m fully aware of all the health benefits of eating a generous portion of greens each day, their taste pales in comparison to rich fudge. Life, however, is not always about what tastes the best, but about doing the right thing. For me, salad is the right thing.

The beginning of the New Year is also a time for us to reflect on our spiritual well-being. If we can be really honest and transparent with one another, we must admit that maintaining a daily practice of staying in God’s Word is no easy task. It’s healthy to take a moment to recognize the importance of spending daily time with God, and then plunge in headfirst again. But that plunge isn’t always easy to make.

The discipline of walking the Christian life is much like the discipline of exercise—you have to get into the practice of it. One of the more difficult steps we take is that of starting again. Yet once we take it, spending daily time in the Word seems manageable. Just like we understand the value of daily exercise for our physical well-being, daily time with God has the same impact on our spiritual well-being.

The mundane repetition of lifting weights or jogging on a treadmill often seems like an exercise in futility, yet over time we see results. Likewise with our spiritual walk. I’m always amazed when I go back and re-read portions of Scripture I’ve read before, and discover something entirely new. I wonder how I could have possibly missed such a profound truth the first time. It seems to be part of how God reveals Himself to us through the Scriptures.

We must recognize that committing to spend time with God isn’t just about keeping a resolution—it’s about connecting ourselves to the source of all life. It’s an important distinction to make. We’re not approaching such a resolution as something we’re simply doing this for the next six months; rather, it’s something we’re doing to make room for the Holy Spirit to truly transform our hearts.

Running Time – 7:00 minutes

Subscribe to the MAF Podcast on iTunes »