MAF missionaries raise support for a pooled fund out of which MAF covers salary, housing, benefits, and staff-related ministry expenses. MAF exercises discretion over the use of missionary support to carry out its mission and care for its staff.
Caleb and Josie-Lynne Yoder are humbled by the opportunity the Lord has given them to serve with Mission Aviation Fellowship. Caleb will be serving as a maintenance specialist, ensuring that the aircraft used by MAF are functional and safe. Josie-Lynne will continue to be a stay-at-home mom to their three children, while keeping her hands open to whatever opportunities God has for her. They both desire to serve the community wherever they live and to help show people the light of Christ. Their kids, Rayne, Leo, and Sage are excited for the chance to meet new people and see new sights.
Caleb was born in Hamilton, Montana, to a family of strong Christians who helped shape the faith that Caleb has today. While he was growing up, his parents founded a prison ministry that allowed men exiting prison to have transitional housing and a community of believers. Caleb witnessed lives changed by the radical love of Jesus. As a teenager, he attended a missions conference in Germany where he saw believers from all over the world come together and worship the Lord. The experience had a huge impact on him.
As an adult, Caleb worked at an aviation composite manufacturing company, and God used this as a doorway to attend Moody Bible Institute. Both he and his wife, Josie-Lynne, were continually drawn to Moody, but it seemed too far out of reach due to finances and time. Yet through lots of prayer, they decided this was the route God wanted them to take. Caleb put in his Moody application, and a week later, he was notified that he was going to be laid off and that the company would pay for retraining as part of a severance package. This included cost of living and all tools, books, and supplies. In 2020 Caleb received his A&P License. They are now excited to serve with MAF and to see what God has in store for the future.
Josie-Lynne was born on a brisk leap year day in Spokane, Washington. She was not raised in a church nor with ideas of missions, but she had a strong desire to travel the world. This desire only increased after a trip to Germany with her mom when she was a teenager. God was gracious in Josie-Lynne’s life and surrounded her with the love and friendship of Caleb and his family, who helped lead her into a relationship with Jesus. Though not immediate friends, the two would talk, and Caleb never forgot Josie-Lynne, even after she stopped coming to the youth group, so he continued to pray for her.
On a sunny day in 2010, Josie-Lynne accepted Christ. As her relationship with the Lord grew, she began to learn more and more about missions and what that really meant. Caleb and Josie-Lynne prayed about dating, and Josie- Lynne saw an image of a golden ring. They knew that if God was going to let them date, this meant marriage. The two wed thirteen months later. Through Caleb’s time at Moody Bible Institute and Josie-Lynne’s growing desire to travel, missions became their apparent path. Knowing that God had given Caleb and Josie-Lynne this desire helped lead them to MAF.
The Yoders have their hands open to the Lord, praying His will is done, and that the unreached turn to Jesus. 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 Caleb and Josie-Lynne’s ministry. Please prayerfully consider becoming a ministry partner with them through prayer and/or financial support.
The U.S. offices of MAF serve as a hub for MAF services worldwide. A day in the life here includes specialized flight training, staff mobilization and counseling, purchasing and shipping of aircraft parts, finance and accounting, administration of an Internet gateway for worldwide email, fund raising, printing and mailing of various materials, and many, many more activities. Some staff serve around the country; training future pilots and mobilizing potential candidates to serve with MAF.