This week in Christian history: Gospel Coalition holds first conference; Mission Aviation Fellowship founded

Mission Aviation Fellowship launched – May 20, 1945

This week marks the anniversary of the incorporation of the Christian Airmen's Missionary Fellowship, which would later be renamed Mission Aviation Fellowship.

MAF was founded by former Royal Air Force pilots and World War II veterans Jack Hemmings and Stuart King, with the goal of helping fly missionaries and aid to various parts of the world.

The first official flight occurred in February 1946, when pilot Betty Greene transported two Bible translators from La Habra, California, to Tuxpan, Mexico, a distance of over 1,900 miles.

In 2021, MAF’s decades of work across the developing world was highlighted in a documentary titled “Ends of the Earth,” which was produced by Moody Bible Institute and Change Media.

“We are excited about the next generation of men and women at Moody ready to fulfill their purpose and calling,” said Moody President Mark Jobe in a statement at the time.

“And we are praying fervently that the Lord uses this powerful film to inspire some of them as mission aviators to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Moody looks forward to building our strong partnership with MAF in our efforts to make the Gospel available to every person.”