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1947: History in the Making

Early MAF staff with the Miles Gemini aircraft the "Mildmay Pathfinder" at Croydon Airport on 13 January 1948, just before take-off for Africa. Jack Hemmings, Stuart King, Ken Ellis (temporary helper), Tom Banham and Murray Kendon at the dedication service for the Gemini aircraft at Broxbourne Airport, Hertfordshire, UK. ...

1945: Trevor Strong

WWII photo of Flight Lieutenant Trevor Strong (co-founder of MAF NZ). Trevor returned to New Zealand in 1946 where he formed the first MAF prayer and support communities, promoting MAF in New Zealand. Trevor was the first chairman of the NZ Committee and later the Council that formed in the 1950s. MAF NZ became an Incorporated Society on 23 May, 1959. ...

1946: Betty Greene

Pilot Betty Greene flew the first MAF US aircraft on its inaugural flight. Betty transported two missionaries of Wycliffe Bible Translators to a remote jungle location in Mexico.  Photo taken in front of the Waco biplane, with hangar in background. ...

1945: Murray Kendon-The Beginning of MAF

Murray was the key founder of MAF. The first recorded thoughts about a MAF-type operation was in a New Zealand newspaper called "A Christian Weekly" on 5 July, 1945. He married Minnie in 1946. In 1950-51 Murray travelled around New Zealand with his family, promoting missions and MAF. In 1949 Murray met a similar group in the U.S. who adopted the same name and vision. ...

1945: Early Beginnings

Kiwi Murray Kendon was joined by Trevor Strong, a New Zealand WWII pilot who shared Murray's vision to use aircraft for evangelism. Later they were joined by another WWII veteran, Stuart King, a British pilot who immediately resonated with the vision as a fellow believer and aviator. ...