Garth & Jody Pederson

Garth and Jody Pederson, along with their children, Samuel, Anna, and Nicholas, are Calvary Connection Missionaries with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are completing their third term of service in Congo.

Garth grew up in Rochester and is the son of Leroy and Twyla Pederson. His mother had the joy of leading him to the Lord at age five after a Sunday evening service. After high school, Garth earned a B.A. in Business from Bethel College in St. Paul. He holds an A & P mechanics license with Inspection Authorization and a commercial pilot’s license with instrument rating. He also holds a CFI license and serves as a MAF flight instructor.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, where the Pederson's
live and do ministry, is in Central Africa.

Jody was born and raised in St. Louis Park. At age nine, she accepted Christ as her personal Savior after reading and memorizing verses in AWANA Club. Jody majored in Music Education and Bible at Northwestern College in Roseville, MN.

Garth’s work involves providing leadership as the Program Manager for the West Congo program. He is also the Chief Pilot and serves as a line pilot and mechanic.

“We enable missionaries and national pastors to bring the Gospel message to remote areas of Congo. We transport critically needed medical personnel and supplies to places with no other medical care. We fly Bible translators in to review translation projects and train national translators. We provide flights for disaster relief including volcanic eruptions, tornadoes, and disease outbreaks. We also fly medical evacuation flights and vaccines for Congo’s children.”

Jody provides a loving, Christian home for their family and coordinates hospitality for visitors traveling through Kinshasa. She also hosts a women’s Bible study in their home and teaches violin lessons.

They have just finished a family conference for the MAF staff in Congo. Jody organized most of the conference which included eight staff families for four days. The conference provided them with time to study the Word and to have fellowship together. They also took time to review their ministry plan for the coming year.

The Pederson family has returned to the States for a six-month home assignment. They arrived back in Rochester on July 22. They look forward to celebrating Leroy and Twyla’s 50th wedding anniversary along with Garth’s sister’s family on a cruise vacation. Look for their two middle schoolers, Sam and Anna, at the TURTLES youth event which starts on August 17. They will be attending John Adams Middle School this fall.

Their prayer requests are for God’s strength and wisdom as they make the transition back to the United States. They will be moving their belongings out of the house they have lived in for the past seven years. Garth will be turning over the projects and leadership of the program while they are in the United States.

They also ask for prayer for their three children as they adjust to a different lifestyle and a new school. They have spent most of their lives in Africa with only a few visits back to the US.

Garth, Jody, Samuel,
Anna, and Nicholas Pederson

They also want to share praises that God has sustained them through a challenging 12 month period. Two airplanes and a van were seized by the government for a month but God miraculously intervened. If you see Steve Ansell, ask him about how the church body was integral in God’s reaching out to the Pedersons during this trying time. Although two of their airplanes were damaged by bullets, none of the staff were hurt. They are thankful for God’s protection.

Finally, they ask for your prayers for the people of Congo as they face many physical and spiritual needs. Specifically pray that the recent democratically elected leaders would govern in a just and beneficial way for the people.

Jody offers Romans 8:28 as a favorite verse: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Please make a point to connect with the Pedersons while they are here whether you have known them in the past or even if you have never met them before.

Contact information:

Garth and Jody Pederson
Missionary Aviation Fellowship
P.O. Box 47
Nampa, ID 83653
Phone: 909-794-1151 (MAF)
Email: gpederson@ maf.org
Web page: www.maffamily.org

While in Rochester, the
Pedersons can be reached at
Leroy and Twyla’s home at 282-5162.

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Last Updated ( Sunday, 12 August 2007 )

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