Missionary Flights International — Organization Profile
Missionary Flights International, also known as MFI, is a Christian aviation ministry based in Fort Pierce, Florida. The organization exists to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in partnership with Bible-centered missions by providing reliable transportation and logistical services. MFI’s public theme is “Standing in the Gap,” drawn from Ezekiel 22:30, and reflects its role as a dependable link between missionaries and the communities they serve.
The organization’s core focus is using aviation to support nonprofit Christian evangelical missionaries, organizations, and churches so the gospel can be preached and lives can be changed. MFI provides passenger flights, cargo transportation, logistics, and mission support for affiliated missionaries and mission organizations. Its work helps missionaries travel closer to the communities they serve while moving supplies that are difficult to transport through ordinary channels.
Missionary Flights International serves from Fort Pierce, Florida, with regular aviation service for affiliated mission work in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas. The organization also states that it flies wherever the Lord directs. MFI currently serves more than 600 affiliated missionary groups in the Caribbean and transports Christian workers and cargo for those mission partners.
The ministry began in the 1960s when Don Beldin flew a small single-engine airplane for Youth for Christ evangelism in the Bahamas. As needs grew, he began transporting missionaries and equipment, and Missionary Flights International was incorporated in 1964 to serve Bible-centered missions. After 42 years in West Palm Beach, MFI moved to Fort Pierce in 2006, where it now operates from two hangars.
A distinctive part of Missionary Flights International’s work is combining missionary air transportation with practical cargo logistics for gospel-centered work in the Caribbean. Its aircraft have transported items ranging from the Word of God to construction materials and livestock, depending on mission needs. MFI reports that about 300 tons of cargo and 4,000 Christian workers are transported each year, supporting churches, schools, clinics, relief work, and mission outreach.
People can engage with Missionary Flights International by giving, volunteering, applying for jobs or aviation internships, scheduling a tour, attending events, requesting a visit from an MFI representative, or supporting specific staff members and aircraft needs. Missionaries and teams who want to fly with MFI must be connected with an affiliated mission, and MFI states that its affiliation is for missions actively involved in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Key Links
- Website: https://www.missionaryflights.org/
- Who We Are: https://www.missionaryflights.org/who-we-are
- Affiliated Missions: https://www.missionaryflights.org/mission-affiliates
- Leadership and Staff: https://www.missionaryflights.org/missionaries
- Where We Fly: https://www.missionaryflights.org/where-we-fly
- Travel: https://www.missionaryflights.org/travel
- Volunteer: https://www.missionaryflights.org/contact-volunteer
- Events: https://www.missionaryflights.org/events
- Give: https://www.missionaryflights.org/give
- Contact: https://www.missionaryflights.org/contact-us
Contact Information
- Email: mf*@***************ts.org
- Phone: 772-462-2395
- Mailing address: 3170 Airmans Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34946
Socials
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionaryFlightsInternational
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missionaryflights/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MissionaryFlights
- Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/missionaryflights
Leadership
- Joe Karabensh — President
- Larry Campbell — Vice President of Operations
- Roger Sands — Vice President of Administration
- Philip Karnes — Director of Maintenance
- Ray Oostdyk — Chief Pilot
- Dick Snook — President Emeritus
