Missionaries
Jacques is a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church assigned to the Wings of Caring Aviation Ministry in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. As a pilot-mechanic and program director of the Wings of Caring Aviation Ministry, Jacques flies people and supplies to various missions in the region.
When I fly missionaries, pastors and church leaders, we carry the Good News to where the Gospel is needed,’ Jacques explains. ‘When I fly doctors or medical teams, which I fly sick persons to the hospitals where their lives are saved, when I fly seminary or college professors to teach, I think I am doing God’s will. In some cases if we don’t fly in supplies like salt, soap or matches, there is no other way such supplies will get to the population. Many of our mission stations depend on aviation ministry for survival. Through aviation, children can get shots for immunization. It’s not just a means of transportation, but it is a whole ministry ‘ the Gospel ‘ that is preached in different ways.’
Born in Yamba-Yamba, Congo, Jacques has been a mission pilot-mechanic based in Kananga, Congo, since 1990. From 1992-97, he served as a Person in Mission through the Board’s Global Mission Partners program. Before becoming a pilot, Jacques worked as an aviation-mechanic helper in Kananga from 1985-87, and as an assistant technical director in Lodja, D.R. Cong, 1983-85. He also worked as a math teacher for a time in Wembo-Nyama, D.R. Congo, after graduating from high school in the ’70′s.
Jacques is married to Poto Valentine Shutsha, who is also a GBGM missionary. They have three sons: Akasa Umembudi Mignon, 21; Shamba Umembudi Gigi, 17; and Otoko Umembudi Dennis, 15. His father, Akasa Okitowa Alphonse, now deceased was a pastor with the United Methodist Church. Jacques is a member of the Paroisse Francophone congregation in Kananga.
Dear Rev. Mike,
Thank you for email. We are doing well and we are very busy trying to fix an airplane that will be used for the church in Central Congo Area. I am sorry if you did not get our last Newsletter. I will try to send it again to you. As I said we are fixing a plane. It took as about 2 months to get things together. Now we have engine installed and if the check flight goes well, we might leave for Kananga (our base) on weekend.
Once again thank you for your prayers and your support for the mission work.
In Christ yours,
Jacques and Valentine.
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