President's Column

By Jim McConnell, President

Judging from my experience in Korea and Vietnam, a soldier's view of the battle consists of what he can see or hear. Seldom does a soldier have the "big picture". The battle may be raging just over the hill, but unless he can see or hear it, he may not know whether the battle is won or lost. Folks, Pilots for Christ is in a battle. We are a fighting arm of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is battling to win lost souls. We are His Air Force and He desires that none should perish.

There were times in the past when I wondered whether I was accomplishing anything for the Lord as a member of Pilots for Christ. I know that others have wondered just where they fit in the organization and what they should be doing. One of our chapter presidents recently shared with me that he was not sure his chapter was accomplishing anything for the Lord. The answer is in the "big picture". If you think you are not accomplishing anything for the Lord in Pilots for Christ, then you need to send out some scouts to locate the enemy. See where the Lord God is working and determine how you can bring your fire upon the enemy. Let me know that you want to work for the Lord and what weapons you can use. I will put you to work. This is why I'm sharing so much of what is happening in our organization. I have often asked chapters to send in their activities for publication in the newsletter, but somehow these items seem to be held Top Secret. Well, guys, I'm going to blow your cover.

The Alabama chapter has flown over 200 mercy missions. The Florida chapter ministers throughout the islands of the Caribbean even to Central and South America. The Virginia chapter flies mercy flights like the one described above, ministers at air shows, community events, helps during disasters such as hurricanes and is praying for a larger aircraft to support longer mercy flights. The Alabama chapter, working with the Arkansas chapter will fly a two-way mercy flight from Alabama to Omaha, Nebraska during May and June. Three non-chapter affiliated pilots, John Stedman of Maryland, Jerry Poff of Ohio and Jay Farlow of Indiana, are coordinating the transport of two missionaries from Baltimore to the Chicago area and return in June. John Stedman is also forming a new PCI chapter in Maryland. Jerry Poff, along with his friend, PCI life member and former mission pilot, William (Rusty) Eads is building up a new PCI chapter in Ohio. John Lewis has started a new PCI chapter in Wichita, Kansas. We even have a new chapter forming in the country of India! The Lord is moving mightily in our midst!

I have a mercy mission that I am currently trying to assign to a pilot. It will have to be for a non-chapter affiliated pilot because the flight is not near an existing chapter. We need pilots and chapters in Canada, Mexico and the western US. From my foxhole, there is a hot fire fight going on and we need to call up the reserves. Who will step forward to answer the call?

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Table of Contents, May 2001 newsletter