Jonathan and Cindee Raney faithfully served the people of Indonesia with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) for decades. The first eight years, they had the joy of living and working in Kalimantan, Indonesia, as a pilot/mechanic family, later adding program management responsibilities to the mix. In 2000 Jonathan and Cindee moved to Papua, Indonesia, where they served faithfully in administrative and leadership roles. In 2014, following the Lord’s leading through MAF, Jonathan and Cindee were positioned in the Indonesian capital city of Jakarta where Jonathan oversaw MAF’s Indonesia area office that interfaces with the necessary government entities to obtain the vital permissions and permits for MAF to serve in Indonesia. Cindee continued to give her time to hospitality and care with a guesthouse ministry for many the visitors passing through Jakarta.
In 2021 Jonathan and Cindee transitioned to the MAF headquarters in Idaho where Jonathan was asked to serve as Vice President Safety/Quality for MAF. He is really excited to still be involved in the operations and safety not only for Indonesia but for MAF US’s programs around the world. Cindee is an administrative assistant to two departments in MAF. One is called Waypoints where they mentor people before they come to MAF until they are finished with their first term, helping them continue to grow in the Lord and become disciple makers. The other is our Base Operations that maintains our facilities here at headquarters.
Isaiah 42:10 says, “Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them.” Jonathan shares. “We count it a humble privilege to be available and used by our Lord for His purposes and glory in the ministry of MAF. What a blessing it is to serve missions, national churches, and isolated people through aviation. Bringing help, hope and healing.
Deuteronomy 31:8 states, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” This verse has been very encouraging for Cindee as she has impacted and been instrumental to many over the years. From her heavy involvement in flight following and providing hospitality, to running the MAF guesthouse facilities in Papua and mission guest house facility in central Jakarta, to caring for our language school students, and providing a loving home for the family, Cindee has continued to pour her life into others. Cindee continues to thank the Lord for His care and hand of blessing on their children’s and now grandchildren’s lives. With their four children grown, Cindee is thankful for the new opportunities the Lord is giving her in this season of life.
Jonathan and Cindee are both children of MAF pilot families. Jonathan’s family arrived in the Philippines when Jonathan was not even a year old. Sadly, Jonathan’s father was killed in an aircraft accident delivering Christmas goods to a mission family in 1968. As a nurse, Jonathan’s mother returned to the Philippines, and a few years later the family moved to Irian Jaya (now known as Papua, Indonesia) where his mother served as a school nurse for the local community. Cindee was born in Shell, Ecuador, as her parents began their MAF ministry. A number of years later, the Lord directed and moved her parents to Irian Jaya (Papua) as well. It was during this time that Jonathan and Cindee met and mutual respect was first born. They were reacquainted years later while attending Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Jonathan earned a B.S. degree in Mission Aviation Technology at Moody Bible Institute and holds commercial, instrument, pilot, and instrument instructor’s ratings along with an airframe and powerplant mechanic’s license. Respect soon turned to love, and they were married in 1987. After working in aviation in the Seattle area, Jonathan and Cindee joined MAF to go overseas in 1990 where they served in Indonesia until December 2020. Since January 2021, Jonathan and Cindee are impacting MAF ministries worldwide through their essential new roles.
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 the Raneys’ ministry. Please prayerfully consider becoming a Ministry Partner with Jonathan and Cindee through prayer and/or financial support.