Joyce Conkling - Mission Aviation Fellowship

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Bio

Joyce Conkling is a short-term missionary with Mission Aviation Fellowship serving as a teacher in Sentani, Papua, Indonesia. A Bible verse she learned as a young child has made a lasting impact on the way she views God, other people, and herself: [John 3:16, NIV], “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Joyce was born in Portland, OR, and lived there until leaving for college in 1985. Early on, she had a sense of needing God’s forgiveness and asked God for salvation when she was eight years old. Joyce’s parents took her to church throughout her childhood and because of the enthusiastic example of the youth staff living their lives with Christ as number one, Joyce began to follow Jesus earnestly when she was fourteen.

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Joyce’s lifelong interest in God’s work in the world came about naturally since her family hosted numerous missionaries as well as visitors from foreign exchange programs. In high school, she befriended and learned from several students born outside the U.S. Joyce attended Carleton College in Northfield, MN (graduating in 1989), and later, after working as support staff in educational research, earned an Ed.M. at Harvard Graduate School of Education in Cambridge, MA. In both these settings, Joyce had more opportunities to acquaint herself with cultures different from hers. Additionally, the church in Massachusetts where she was a member for fourteen years provided many chances for her to hear about the people God loves overseas.

Looking back over various events in her life, Joyce sees God’s preparation for this time of service with MAF. With her love of learning, Joyce relished memorizing Bible verses and hearing stories as a child. This foundation has helped her in difficult times. For instance, in college, as she dealt with her mother’s death, Joyce learned to understand new aspects of God’s character – “He is sovereign and large beyond imagination, but also gentle.” Later, God used her background with language and literature to begin her career in 1995 as a certified teacher in public schools. Teaching her favorite subject, middle school English, is Joyce’s assignment in Indonesia as well.

One aspect of teaching that Joyce has always felt strongly about is supporting the people she works with. She looks forward not only to helping missionaries’ kids grow as young adults and learners, but also to knowing that teaching those kids allows MAF staff to use their gifts to serve the people of Indonesia. One of the verses Joyce finds significant as she begins her time in Indonesia is II Cor. 5:9 [NIV], “So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.” “From 1967 until 2008, I got to practice the ‘at home’ part. Now, I get to see God’s mercy and power in my life while I am ‘away’.”

To fund the worldwide ministry of MAF, God is faithful in providing generous ministry support from His caring people. He has called the men and women of MAF to serve Him in a unique way.

He is also calling people like you to have a special role in the ministry of MAF around the world. You are invited to partner with Joyce in this strategic ministry. Please prayerfully consider involvement with them through prayer and/or financial support.