Gary & Wanda joined NCEM in 1976, to serve at the Mission’s Airbase at The Pas, Manitoba. The next decades Gary piloted countless trips throughout the North, transporting missionaries and First Nations evangelists.
Gary then served as an associate missionary, after starting a construction company. He now serves on NCEM’s Governing Board.
As an associate NCEM pilot, even after starting his construction company, Gary has made time for aviation outreaches. One was an annual Native family camp at Ponask Lake, northwestern Ontario. Gary would fly over 50 hours shuttling families and groceries to the isolated campground. It was his joy to help make possible this annual gathering for Bible teaching and fellowship.
The other outreach took place each winter as Steinbach Bible College students were flown into a few northern Manitoba communities. Gary spent 8-10 days with the students. Together they assisted Native fellowships with children’s and youth outreaches and home visits.
Garden Hill has been one of those places. “Pastor Arnold Flett would tell us which homes to visit,” says Gary, “and we saw a number of people come to the Lord.”
At Oxford House they assisted Pastor Silas Sinclair. “I really have a heart for these communities,” says Gary, who regularly phones Silas throughout the year to encourage him. Teams have also been invited to Red Sucker Lake.
Gary has also done some commercial flying, but mostly it’s his company, TRG Construction, that keeps him busy. Along with his employees he does house construction and renovations within 100 miles of Prince Albert.
On the job site and with building suppliers, Gary isn’t shy about his faith. He knows there are comments about that “blankety-blank preacher,” he says, “but later some of those same guys will come to me if they have a prayer request, or need advice.”
Recently a lumber store employee came up to Gary and said, “You’re a minister, right?” He told Gary that he hadn’t been to church for a long time, but he needed to talk about his life.
“I’m not even sure who told him about me,” says Gary, “but there are many opportunities if you take them. I take every opportunity.”
When visiting northern communities for commercial reasons, Gary notices the difference, as compared to flying in as a missionary. “I can talk about things of the Lord right away,” he’s noticed. “If they think I’m a ‘minister,’ then not so much. But if I’m considered just a carpenter or a pilot, I’m more on their level.”
Sometimes, when flying doctors into northern settlements, Gary got asked to talk to patients – these doctors know when the problem is a spiritual one, not just physical, he says.
