Our Lord’s Air Force

According to belief, heavenly angels have wings

And they fly around doing miraculous things

We mere mortals cannot possibly do.

While there may not be proof that this belief is true,

There are earthly “angels” who the Lord’s work can do,

And some of these angels use wings not their own

To carry out missions befitting God’s throne.

These “angels” are the members of “Our Lord’s Air Force,”

And they are well known to you here, of course,

For most of you here are part of that group –

Flying missions for Christ without thought to recoup

The costs of the service you give to the Lord.

Loving both Christ and flying, you’re in accord.

You are Pilots for Christ, international in scope,

Flying missions of mercy, bringing people hope:

Maybe it’s a medical emergency that you fly,

Or taking a patient home to die,

Thus bringing comfort in that situation.

A flight might take a minister to a station,

Or a child to a distant place to be treated

If closer home there isn’t the help needed.

Young people benefit in other ways, too,

For instructing them about flying is something you do,

And all people benefit through the witness you give

At air shows and airports and by how you live.

At times it seems you’ve helped so much

That through your deeds one felt Christ’s touch:

A prayer during a flight with an epileptic boy

Brought calmness at the time, and later real joy

When the treatment planned was no longer needed –

The signs of epilepsy had permanently receded.

You’ve seen other cases that touched your hearts

And provided the help that each flight imparts;

Though no miracle occurred to make all right,

You still have changed lives through that provision of flight.

Sometimes your planes have carried you to be workers,

For when a disaster strikes, you certainly aren’t shirkers!

Jim McConnell is said to have “come back aglow”

After a Carolina hurricane where some chose to go

To minister to and feed the victims there --

Another way that Pilots for Christ show they care.

Your blue shirts make visible who you are

And we can recognize each one of you as a star

Which gleams brightly through darkness, a point of light

That you bring to others through your love of flight.

Since the Lord is behind the work that you do,

“Our Lord’s Air Force” is truly a good name for you!

Ellen Bartlett

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