03-06-2025
Mission Aviation Fellowship celebrated their 80th anniversary at Dumfries Baptist Church in Dumfries
As part of the celebrations, a Cessna aeroplane was brought from Glasgow to the church car park where visitors also enjoyed using a flight simulator to get a feel for what it's like to be a MAF pilot.
The 80th anniversary of the Mission Aviation Fellowship was celebrated in Dumfries on Sunday.
The movement was founded after World War II when members sought to use aviation as a force for good instead of destruction. Inspired by their Christian faith, the founders of Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) decided to use their wartime flying and engineering skills to deliver help, hope and healing to the world's most isolated people and 80 years on, their work is supported by many churches, including Dumfries Baptist Church.
Passers-by may have been surprised to see a plane in the church centre car park on Sunday, brought on a trailer from Glasgow by MAF's church engagement coordinator, James Petticrew, who took part in the morning service.
Through short talks and videos, he described how MAF now flies light aircraft in 25 countries, serving more places than any other airline in the world.
Working in partnership with over 2,000 organisations, MAF can survey damage from the air within hours of a disaster, then deliver supplies and skilled workers, or evacuate aid workers from conflict zones, supplying food and healthcare.
MAF also works in peace-keeping and education, and has vacancies at present, so if you have a Christian faith, a sense of adventure, and skills in school teaching, IT, administration, management or aviation, check out MAF's website.
During a bring and share lunch, many of the children − and adults − tried using a flight simulator to get a feel for what it's like to be a MAF pilot, landing on desert and jungle airstrips, roads and lakes, wherever remote communities need practical or spiritual help.
