JAARS Hosts Wings to the World

This year marks the 100th year of powered flight. Wilbur and Orville Wright’s first flight lasted only twelve seconds, but that flight set the stage for reaching Bibleless people through mission aviation.

In 1926, before Charles Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic, JAARS founder, William C. Townsend, was already dreaming about using aircraft to reach remote groups in the Amazon. Founded in 1948, JAARS now has 37 aircraft used to train aviators and to reach minority language communities in seven countries.

JAARS visitors can see an exciting Helio Courier short-take-off-and-landing demo and learn more about the history of the Wright brother’s powered flight and mission aviation through lectures.

They can examine aircraft on display that have served mission aviation well for decades and see the aircraft that represent the future of mission aviation. Airplane and helicopter rides will be available (prices range from $12 to $22).

Dick Hugoniot, president of Wycliffe Bible Translators International, will be on hand for the event. He explains why JAARS exists, “The command in Acts 1:8 is to take the gospel “to the very ends of the earth!” I have two copies of New Testaments that represent peoples who literally live at the very ends of the earth. These New Testaments, along with countless others in the heart languages of people, could not have been completed without the ministry of JAARS and mission aviation.”

He says, “This is not just a vision of the past, but also of the present and the future. Now Wycliffe and JAARS have adopted a special vision: to see a Bible Translation begun in every language of the world that needs one by 2025.”

Hugoniot adds, “This vision cannot be realized without a partnership in the gospel, and JAARS continues to be an active partner, as part of the Wycliffe family of organizations, and as representing the church in going to the ends of the earth.”

The day will be jam-packed with activities. Visitors can listen to Gospel music and hear missionary speakers. Visitors may explore opportunities to serve with JAARS or Wycliffe and visit with mission representatives from other aviation missions.

Bible translators will speak of lives changed through God’s Word. Nard Pugyao, who came from a mountain minority group in the Philippines and is now a mission pilot, will explain what God’s Word in his own language means to him.

A full list of activities for children will be available: face painting, mission stories, computer simulated airplane rides and even a chance to practice riveting sheet metal. “Jillybean,” will use illusion, music and ventriloquism to challenge children and adults alike.

The Museum of the Alphabet and the Mexico-Cardenas Museums will be open and special guest “John Wycliffe” will tell how we got the Bible in English.

Franklin Graham, the president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Organization has stated, Over the years I’“ve had the privilege of traveling to different countries where JAARS is at work helping the Wycliffe Bible Translators get God’s Word into the hands of men and women in their own language. This is such an important ministry.”

JAARS (originally “Jungle Aviation and Radio Services”) was founded in 1948 in Peru and established in North Carolina in 1961. JAARS’ mission through partnerships worldwide is “to provide quality technical support services and resources to speed Bible translation to all people.” In addition to Bible translation these services help serve isolated worldwide language communities with literacy, health and other community programs.

Serving in seven countries with aviation services is a significant aspect of this mission, although many others services are provided, including marine and land transportation, information technology, construction and maintenance, and vernacular media services.

Pre-registration is not required. Barbecue lunch ($6.00) and hot dog lunches ($4.00) will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Further information on the event can be obtained by calling 704-843-6095.

Map to JAARS Center