NAMPA, Ida. – Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), a faith-based, non-profit ministry that serves missions and isolated people around the world with aviation, communications and learning technologies, has named John Boyd as its new president and chief executive officer, succeeding Kevin Swanson.

Boyd, a native of Scotland who grew up Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, has served with MAF for 15 years. His varied experience with the ministry includes the roles of pilot, chief executive officer of MAF South Africa, and vice president for ministry advancement. Boyd’s fields of service have included Zaire/Congo, Haiti, Lesotho and South Africa. In 1993, Boyd interrupted his successful business career when he felt the strong call of God to enter Christian ministry.

Boyd will continue in his present role until Jan.1, when he assumes his new position. Most of his time in the next few months will be spent in Lesotho, Mozambique and South Africa on previously planned ministry trips.

“I’m filled with humbleness, yet also with joy and excitement about the future,” Boyd said. “We are on the threshold of such great ministry opportunities. My vision is that MAF will become even more strategic and significant in taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.”

Kevin Swanson joined MAF in 1979 as a pilot/mechanic and rose through the organization, becoming a board member in 1995, vice chairman in 2003 and president and chief executive officer in 2004. At his request, he accepted the role of president for a limited term. His mission was to lead the MAF relocation from Redlands, Calif., to Nampa, Idaho, as well as direct the expansion of various ministry operations.

With the completion of those key initiatives, Swanson will finish his term at the end of December. He plans to relocate to California where an aging parent requires his personal attention. Despite his inability to remain in Nampa, Swanson looks forward to continuing serving in ministry.

“For the past several years”, said Swanson, “I’ve felt called to direct church ministry and have communicated that calling to our board of directors. Several opportunities have been presented to me, and I’ll make my decision over the course of the next few months.”

“I’m delighted, and thankful to God and our staff, with how smoothly the move to our new headquarters in Idaho took place. MAF is now well positioned for expanded operations and future growth,” Swanson said. “As for my successor, I’ve worked very closely with John, and I truly believe God has been grooming him for his new position as MAF president,” Swanson said.

“Under Kevin’s direction, the relocation of the MAF headquarters to Idaho went extraordinarily well,” said Julie Shimer, chairman of the board of MAF. “We’ve also seen expansion in the ministry’s aviation services, program growth in Central Asia and new opportunities in learning technologies.”

As for Boyd, she said, “John’s field experience will be of great value as the new president of MAF. His international perspective, along with his vision and passion, will benefit MAF for many years into the future.”

Founded in 1945, MAF (www.MAF.org) stations some 200 missionary families in the remotest regions of 26 countries on five continents. MAF serves more than 600 Christian and humanitarian organizations. The ministry’s pilots fly approximately 40,000 flights a year, transporting missionaries, medical personnel, medicines and relief supplies, as well as conducting thousands of emergency medical evacuations. MAF also provides telecommunications services, such as satellite Internet access, high-frequency radios, electronic mail and other wireless systems, in isolated areas.

The entertainment business may seem full of glitz and glamour, but it can be one of the loneliest, most insecure and isolated places to work in, claims showbiz charity Christians in Entertainment. They are asking churches and individuals across the UK to spare a thought and a prayer for those working in front of the footlights, microphone and camera. Churches are being offered a free DVD with star interviews and backstage glimpses of the charity’s work, which have never been seen before.  “As part of our 25 year Celebrations we have dedicated Sunday December 2^nd as a day to pray for this most unusual of professions,” explained the founder and Director of Christians in Entertainment, Chris Gidney. “Entertainment is a service industry but because of its very nature it’s easy to forget that those who work in it are often under a huge amount of pressure whether it be unemployment, separation from their families, or the stress of keeping a career alive in a fast moving industry.”  “We support those in the profession who are working away from family, friends and perhaps church. Through our backstage discovery groups, dressing room Bible placements, one-to-one visits and our prayer textline, we also offer opportunities for performers at every level of the profession to explore what the Christian faith might mean to them. “ “Entertainment Sunday has been linked to the weekend of the Royal Variety Performance, so that when we as an audience laugh, enjoy the music, be inspired by dance or moved by drama we will remember to send up a quick prayer for all those involved in the world of showbiz.” 

PRAYER FOR ENTERTAINMENT SUNDAY

Dear God, we praise you and thank you that you are the giver of all that is good and worthwhile and that you have created gifts of entertainment to be used in your world. We ask that you will inspire and encourage all who work in theatres, television and radio.We pray for all those working in the entertainment business, including actors as they bring drama to life, comedians as they remind us how to laugh, dancers as they provide elegance and beauty and singers as they offer the wonder of music. We pray that all entertainment will be used as a tool for understanding, healing, relaxation, enriching and to express your love for humanity. Amen.

For Further information please contact Chris Gidney 07803 050714/chris@cieweb.org.uk/www.cieweb.org.uk