Chris and Debbie Klynstra, along with their children Sarah and Benjamin, are missionaries with Mission Aviation Fellowship in Papua, Indonesia. They desire to be part of what God is doing around the world and to invest their time here on earth to serve Him.
Chris serves as a Maintenance Specialist and uses the gifts and experience that God has blessed him with to help maintain MAF aircraft. Building relationships with his fellow co-workers and the local people is exciting to Chris as he serves in this capacity.
Debbie loves serving together with her family. Her main ministry includes helping with the education of their children, maintaining their hospitable home, encouraging other Believers and reaching out to those in need. She desires to obey Christ wherever that may lead.
Chris was born and raised in Zeeland, Michigan. He accepted Jesus at the age of nine after watching Billy Graham preach. During high school he became interested in aviation and also wanted to help people. Chris attended LeTourneau University and graduated in 1990 with an Aviation Technology B.S. degree (pilot/mechanic) with a desire to serve in mission aviation where he could use his interest in aviation to help others. After college he worked in Alaska for four and half years and gained valuable experience in aircraft maintenance and flight. In 1998 he joined MAF for the first time and served in West Kalimantan as a pilot/mechanic. While home on furlough he heard of a need for someone to do sheet metal work on a new aircraft, the Kodiak, designed for missons. From 2002-2012 Chris worked for Quest Aircraft Company in northern Idaho.
Debbie was born in Patchogue, NY, and received the Lord as her Savior when she was eight years old. After her junior year of college she saw a need to challenge her walk with the Lord so she went on a short-term mission trip to Papua New Guinea in 1986 which began to stir in her a desire for overseas missions. After college she returned to Papua New Guinea with New Tribes mission to teach 2nd grade for a year and then to serve with the aviation department as their secretary for the next two and a half years.
Thanks to the suggestion from mutual friends, Chris and Debbie met in 2000 while they were both serving their first terms overseas in different countries. Two and a half years and countless e-mails later, they were married on June 15, 2002. Shortly thereafter they moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, so Chris could begin working on the Kodiak project with Quest Aircraft Company.
Chris, Debbie and their kids are excited about serving overseas with MAF once again as they utilize the experience that God has brought into their lives to serve others and to glorify God.
God calls the men and women of MAF to serve Him in unique ways. He may also be calling you to a special role in Chris and Debbie’s ministry. Please prayerfully consider becoming a Ministry Partner with them through prayer and/or financial support.
