CARING FOR THE WORLD WE FLY IN

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and proclaimed that all He had made was “very good.”

He then commanded the first humans to “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth” (Gen. 1:28). Not only did God create all that exists— He entrusted the responsibility for its proper management to us. Churches and mission agencies are increasingly recognising that, in addition to bringing the life-changing gospel, we need to make sure we keep the Biblical mandate to care for the world God created.

In 2009 Max Gove, a well-known senior leader in MAF, along with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), first looked at this topic and developed a position statement. Since then an increasing awareness has grown within MAF of the importance of caring for the created world as an element of integral mission. Today many organisations with whom MAFI interacts (aviation, churches, missions, NGOs and governments) already have action plans in place to help protect the environment. As a Christian mission agency we recognise this changing landscape. The ELT has set up an Environmental Working Group to develop both short- and long-term measures to be implemented across the organisation.

MAF management make the following points:

• Our flying is critical to sustain life; it is a lifeline, not a “luxury” for those that use us. • MAF serves people groups that are usually physically isolated and sparsely resourced. Such people are often affected by environmental issues. Care for creation is therefore directly connected with the welfare of those we are called to serve. • MAF flies in countries where there are often few alternatives to flying. Other forms of transport cannot meet the needs of isolated people—which is why we are there in the first place. • MAF flights are actually very efficient. Road travel may require far more resources than those used by an aircraft flying directly to its destination. For example, driving by road from N’Djamena to Tchaguine in Chad requires 55 litres of diesel fuel and results in greater CO2

Caring for the world

Caring for the world

we fly in

Photo by Hans Cool

emissions (147kg) than the same route flown by a MAF C182 (one hour of flying and only 92kg emissions).

• Our flights support partner organisations who help provide clean water, health care, alternatives sources of energy and more. • MAF already uses technology that helps us be more efficient. For example, our flight simulators reduce the amount of actual flight time required by pilots in training. We increasingly utilise solar heating and lighting in our remote programmes round the world. In 1945, when Murray Kendon first heard from God about using aircraft in missions, the concept was not accepted by all. It didn’t fit within the boundaries of “traditional missions”. Over the 75 years since then, Mission Aviation Fellowship has continued to be at the forefront of innovation as we adapt to the changing needs of those in isolated communities as well as new developments in technology and aviation. As we move into the future, we will continue to explore the most effective ways to use our resources to bring the love of Jesus to isolated people and communities.