Astronaut Patrick Forrester

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. /Christian Newswire/ — Proving that space flight is not the highest calling for a pilot, astronaut Patrick Forrester is taking a bit of missionary history onboard space shuttle “Discovery,” which is scheduled for liftoff from Kennedy Space Center in the early morning hours of Aug. 25. The aim of [...]]]>

Astronaut Patrick Forrester

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. /Christian Newswire/ — Proving that space flight is not the highest calling for a pilot, astronaut Patrick Forrester is taking a bit of missionary history onboard space shuttle “Discovery,” which is scheduled for liftoff from Kennedy Space Center in the early morning hours of Aug. 25. The aim of the two-week orbital mission is to equip the International Space Station.

The item comes from martyred missionary pilot Nate Saint’s Piper PA-14, which is on display at the headquarters of MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) in Nampa, Idaho. Saint and four other missionaries were martyred on a sandbar in Ecuador on Jan. 8, 1956, by a tribe of Waodani Indians.

The incident sparked international news coverage and renewed interest in missionary service. Several of the tribesmen that killed Saint and the others were later converted to Christianity by relatives of the slain missionaries.

“Bringing attention to and renewing interest in missions would be a great result of this experience,” said Forrester, who was born in El Paso, Texas, the year after the martyrdoms. “My deepest intent is to honor Nate Saint, the Saint family and all missionaries around the world.”

The piece is from the Piper’s battery box and has received approval for the flight from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) after conforming to strict size and weight restrictions.

Forrester, who will be making his third shuttle flight, has logged more than 4,500 hours in more than 50 different aircraft and has been with NASA 16 years. In addition to his time at NASA, he spent over 26 years as an Army aviator. Yet his dream has been to assist with the high calling of missionary aviation.

“I’ve always had a heart for missions,” Forrester said. “When I visualize what I might do after I end my career at NASA, always in the back of my mind is going into the mission field in some way. If I could go tomorrow and be a pilot with an organization like MAF, I think that’s what I’d do.”

Whether you are an astronaut, a missionary or something else, Forrester has a simple approach to discovering what career journey you should take. “There are so many needs out there,” Forrester said. “People need to figure out where their passion and their talents intersect with God’s plan for the world.”

Forrester heard about Saint and the other four missionary martyrs while attending a Steven Curtis Chapman concert. “He told the story of the missionaries who had gone down and had lost their lives,” Forrester recalled. “That story just fascinated me, and through that I heard of the book ‘Through the Gates of Splendor.’ That’s when I really first understood about MAF.”

Forrester asked MAF to provide a part of Saint’s plane for the shuttle mission. When the mission is completed, Forrester will return the piece to MAF, providing a certificate confirming its presence on the space flight. MAF plans to display the battery box part and certificate at its headquarters. Forrester noted that Saint “could have never imagined that we would have the opportunity to take it to a space station.”

As for himself, Forrester sees missions in his career flight plan. “We are all called to serve God in some manner,” Forrester said. “I have had the opportunity to participate in several short-term mission trips to Uganda, Canada, Puerto Rico and South Africa. Each time I have developed a heart for the people we served. I believe my wife and I will continue to serve in the mission field for the rest of our lives – whether it is at home or overseas, short-term or full-time.”

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, 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.

The event will take place Thursday, August 27th from 7-10pm at [...]]]> TAMPA, Fla. /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — One City Ministries (OCM) announced today that it will host an African-style marketplace to support the organization’s work in Uganda. The money raised through the event will help fund the ministry’s growing sustainable humanitarian work in this war-torn and impoverished country.

The event will take place Thursday, August 27th from 7-10pm at Grace Family Church, 5101 Van Dyke Road, Lutz, Fla. The evening will feature authentic food, music, and dance, presentations about One City Ministries’ projects, and the opportunity to purchase unique, hand-crafted items made by Ugandan artisans through the ministry’s Africa TrAID program. Tickets for the event are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, and can be purchased at www.onecityministries.org.

“When the Lord called us to start One City Ministries, we knew our mission would be difficult, but that bringing the hope that material aid and God’s message can offer was of critical importance to the people of this neglected region,” said Debra Gilbert, who co-founded OCM with her husband Michael. “Now we are seeing medicine brought to those with grave illness, children educated with books and attending school and the local people learning ways of earning an income to feed their families where hunger once defined their lives. Our work would be impossible without the generous donations of our supporters and we are so grateful to them for continuing to help us serve the Lord.”

One City Ministries has accomplished much in just ten months in Uganda, including building a health clinic and latrines; the establishment of economic development programs like Africa TrAID, and a chicken farm; trainings in health and hygiene, marriage, and First Response, and a scholarship program. Their next goal is to establish a permanent model village, which will include a children’s home, a medical clinic with a specialized women’s center, and a training center for the economic development programs. The village will also feature a tilapia farm, beekeeping facility, a church, a school, and the Light Fuel project, offering environmentally friendly and healthy cooking fuel alternatives.

“I have gotten to know Mike and Deb Gilbert very well these past five years and have observed their love and concern for others. One City Ministries is their heart and soul. Spend only 10 minutes with them and your heart will also be with the people of Uganda,” said Grace Family Church Pastor Fritz G. Ruhe’. “The vision that God has given them is an amazing one, and I am anxiously watching it unfold in the lives of the people they have touched in their first year in that oppressed nation. It is with great joy and excitement that I join them in bringing forth their vision to the people of Uganda.” Original art and vacation packages will be up for auction at the event. Musical highlights will include the GFC Band and Choir with special guests Planet Collective. The GFC band had been a part of Grace Family Church for 15 years under the direction of Al Hurley. Planet Collective is a group of singers and musicians from many different countries and cultural backgrounds playing a wide variety of World music.

To learn more about One City Ministries, to buy tickets for the event or to make a donation, please visit www.onecityministries.org.