The call I received the other week was not unusual. It was a woman strongly opposed to abortion who wanted to know what stand MAF was taking on the issue—what this ministry was doing to halt abortion in the U.S.

Mission Aviation Fellowship frequently receives inquiries about our views and actions on various issues. Not just abortion, but also capital punishment, the nation of Israel, various political leaders, gun control, the “true” translation of the Bible, and many others.

I commend the callers for their desire to know what kind of organization they are supporting. It’s important to be diligent and informed.

While these issues are important, MAF does not have written policies on any of them, nor do we work in these arenas.

Why is that?

There are so many, many needs in this world and no ministry can effectively address all of them. Nor should we try. Scripture tells us that “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” (1 Cor. 12:12)

MAF’s part in the body of Christ is expressed in our mission statement:

Sharing the love of Jesus Christ through aviation and technology so that isolated people may be physically and spiritually transformed

Using aviation and technology to share Jesus’ love with isolated people. That is MAF’s spiritual gift, the way we can make the most impact for the Kingdom.

Yes, there are so many other needs, other issues … and God has equipped other believers with the passion and gifts to work in those areas.

MAF must focus on the mission field to which God has called us. If we turn to the right or left, pursuing other paths, we will lose our effectiveness and impact.

Like a foot trying to do the job of a hand.