Amanda Jones - Christian Ministries & Aviation Grad
Try to keep up. Amanda came to Geneva in 2003. Following the 1-2-1 programming for her Christian ministries / aviation dual major, her freshman and senior years centered around Geneva’s liberal arts core and Christian ministries requirements, while she fulfilled her requirements in the aviation program at nearby Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) during her sophomore and junior years. During those years she also learned and performed aircraft maintenance at Missionary Maintenance Services (MMS) Aviation in Coshocton, Ohio, a nonprofit operation that trains aircraft mechanics and provides services free of charge to Christian missionary organizations. The summer of her junior year found her interning with Missionary Aviation Fellowship in Kampala, Uganda, for three weeks. “I helped in many of the different areas of the organization,” Amanda says, “[including] radio communications, customer service and dispatching, aircraft and other vehicle maintenance, piloting, inventory and even errand-running.” She explains what she gained from the cross-cultural experience: “I brought back a realization of God's intention for unity in his church and love among his children.” She also got to see “the fulfillment of God's provisions for his children when they follow his commands, even when it seems foolhardy to do so.” “Foolhardy” is a good word to describe how many would view Amanda's calling to pursue missionary piloting. The stories of missionaries like Nate Saint and Russell Stendall are reminders that such callings are often dangerous and even tragic. But this hasn't stopped Amanda. She feels that she is prepared to meet head-on the inevitable challenges that will come with the realization of her dreams. “The mission focus of the Christian ministries program at Geneva is well-situated for preparing students for the mission field,” she says. “Providing classes in Bible as well as culture and philosophy, it cultivates the mind to think from the perspectives of those one will meet outside Geneva and outside the U.S. For those considering the mission field, this program can assist with the transitions they'll experience.” And while Amanda was not often outside the U.S. during her studies, the aviation portion of her education provided her with a local mission field where she was able to share her passion for the Gospel with her fellow aviators at CCBC. “Going to fly with an instructor one day, he asked me what type of flying I wanted to go into. Upon telling him of my intention to go into mission aviation,” Amanda says, “he lit up, asking question after question. In such ways God has provided opportunities for planting seeds of interest in the students and instructors at the airport.” Even with all of this experience behind her, Amanda has a long road ahead. She plans to pursue further training, certification and licensing before becoming a full-time pilot for mission projects in Africa. But there’s no doubt in her mind that she’s ready for what she calls “full-time participation in this adventure.” - by Brooke Prokopchak ('08)
Amanda Jones is originally from Williamstown, W.Va. She graduated from Geneva on May 12, 2007. This winter she plans to return to flight school to obtain her commercial and certified flight instructor’s licenses as well as her multi-engine rating. She plans to get her Airframe and Powerplant mechanic’s license from MMS before raising support for full-time missions piloting in Uganda, Africa.
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Amanda Jones knows what it takes to get where she wants to be. And that is in the air, as an overseas missionary pilot.
