Built for This
The Last Mile of Missions | A Conversation with Steve Russell Ep #12
On this episode of the Built For This podcast, our host, Dr. Steve Mason, president of LeTourneau University, is joined by Steve Russell, the president of JAARS. JAARS stands for Jungle Aviation and Relay Service, a missions ministry that focuses on covering the last mile of missions using special-purpose aircraft, boats, and off-road vehicles – relaying God’s Word, his missionaries, and vital supplies across age-old geographical barriers. As the Christian Polytechnic University, LeTourneau has the privilege of working closely with JAARS from temporary mission trips to employing our future aviators. KEY TAKEAWAYS Serving the Lord how you're wired : Military command, national politics, and late-in-life flight training all became preparation for a role Steve never applied for Small obedience precedes big assignments: A one-week volunteer trip to scrape paint led to leading an entire mission organization four months later Mission Aviation : JAARS closes the last-mile gap in missions. Bringing the Word of God into the most remote parts of the world. Character opens doors competence can't: Technical skill matters, but a good testimony and a heart for people are what sustain someone in the field long-term Availability Over Ambition: Over decades, the prayer moved from "bless what I'm building" to "show me where you're already working"
