Aviation Ministry Recognized for Excellence
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Nov. 10 /
Christian Newswire/ -- MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) was awarded a 2009 "Passion Award" by the Servant Christian Community Foundation (SCCF) last evening. This is the second consecutive year MAF has been recognized by SCCF for its commitment to excellence in ministry.
The prestigious award was presented to MAF during the "Thurman Mitchell Servant Leadership Celebration," which was held at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kan.
"We are humbled to receive such an honor for two consecutive years," said John Boyd, MAF USA president. "We don't do our work in order to receive awards, but to advance the Gospel in the remote areas of the world. We are thankful when a group as significant as the Servant Christian Community Foundation takes note of our ministry."
2009 marks the eighth year for the Thurman Mitchell Servant Leadership Celebration. It is named for the beloved Kansas City leader and public figure, Thurman Mitchell, who served as a popular television news reporter for KCTV5 for two decades. In 1998, he became a full-time pastor and founder of Urban Youth Leadership. He was also instrumental in establishing the Kansas City Alliance of Urban Ministries.
The SCCF has awarded more than $1 million to ministries, such as MAF, since it founded the Passion Awards. MAF received a $2,000 award this year.
The theme for this year's "Passion Awards" was "Faith Unleashed: No Excuses!" and was based on Colossians 2:6-7, which reads, "And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness." Ministries were invited to describe what they believe God is doing in and through their work.
"The commitment of MAF to the Gospel and serving others is to be commended," said Connie Hougland, SCCF vice president. "Equally impressive is the creative and innovative approach MAF takes to fulfilling its mission."
SCCF received 220 proposals from a variety of local and national ministries. The proposals were reviewed and scored by an independent grants review committee. Once scored, SCCF visited the top 43 scoring ministries. Site-visit scores were added to the proposal scores in order to identify 23 "Passion Award" recipients, including MAF.
SCCF's mission is to inspire, teach and facilitate revolutionary biblical generosity. Since 2000, SCCF (
www.servantchristian.com) has worked with hundreds of people, ministries and churches. The organization helps people give creatively and efficiently by providing tools, resources and expert counsel. It is affiliated with The National Christian Foundation and is part of a growing network of Christian community foundations.
Founded in the U.S. in 1945, MAF (www.maf.org) missionary teams of aviation, communications, technology and education specialists overcome barriers in remote areas, transform lives and build God's Kingdom by enabling the work of more than 1,000 organizations in isolated areas of the world. With its fleet of 130 bush aircraft--including the new KODIAK, MAF serves in 55 countries, with an average of 242 flights daily across Africa, Asia, Eurasia and Latin America. MAF pilots transport missionaries, medical personnel, medicines and relief supplies, as well as conduct thousands of emergency medical evacuations in remote areas. MAF also provides telecommunications services, such as satellite Internet access, high frequency radios, electronic mail and other wireless systems.
