David & Vanessa Peters, along with their children Hannah (7), Caleb (5), and Christina (4), are new missionaries with Mission Aviation Fellowship, assigned to Indonesia. Since their marriage in 2000, a verse which has expressed their desire and vision as a family is Psalm 115:1, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name be the glory because of Your love and faithfulness.”
David was born in Birmingham, AL, and raised in Maryville, TN. From the beginning, his parents exposed him to God’s Word and he received the Gospel in junior high. A church summer camp experience in the mountains of North Carolina, was critical in bringing him to repentance.
David had the great opportunity to be involved with Teen Missions in high school and served on two short-term mission trips in Latin America. It was in the jungles of Venezuela, where he first experienced the thrill and utility of mission aviation while on a short-term trip with YWAM (Youth With a Mission).
David went on to graduate from the Air Force Academy with a B.S. in Economics, and attended pilot training in Columbus, MS. His first operational assignment was flying the gigantic C-5 Galaxy from Dover AFB, DE, across the ocean in support of the global war on terror. After four years in the C-5, David accepted an assignment as an instructor pilot at Vance AFB in OK, where he finished his time in the Air Force in 2007. A year later, he earned his A&P from SMAT (School of Missionary Aviation Technology) in western MI. David hopes to use his unique experiences and skill-set to foster the Gospel’s reach into areas of the globe where Christ has not been proclaimed.
Vanessa was born in Ft. Pierce, FL, and raised in New Boston, MI. Blessed to be brought up in a Christian home, she committed her life fully to Christ at age 15. She is grateful for an experience at Kamp Kanakuk Kanakomo and one counselor in particular who challenged her to authentic faith. Vanessa graduated from Hillsdale College with degrees in American and Christian Studies. She has enjoyed promoting abstinence among teens and working in crisis pregnancy centers. She became aware of missions through some friends in college, and had the opportunity to serve with InterVarsity for a month in Guatemala. She met David on a summer internship in Washington, D.C. They married in 2000, spending 7 years in the Air Force prior to receiving the call to serve with MAF.
David is ready for a new kind of deployment, with a new kind of mission. He is excited about the prospect of burning jet fuel, not for fostering national security, but eternal security in the Prince of Peace. In reflecting on his favorite verse of Matthew 6:33, “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,” he hopes to make a lasting impact by flying for the Kingdom.
Vanessa looks forward to the new adventures ahead with MAF, trusting in God’s plan for their family. She is hoping to use her gift of hospitality, and also work with local women in discipleship or Bible study. She also plans to further pursue her passion for writing. She recently contributed to her first published work, Faith Deployed, a devotional for military wives. She cherishes Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
To fund the worldwide ministry of MAF, God is faithful in providing generous ministry support from His people. He has called the men and women of MAF to serve Him in a unique way.
He is also calling people like you to play a special role in the ministry of MAF around the world. You are invited to become a ministry partner with David and Vanessa.
