Ben and Katie Uskert and their son, Jeremiah, are new missionaries serving with Mission Aviation Fellowship as a pilot/mechanic family in Indonesia. Ben has a heart for discipleship and looks forward with anticipation to how God will lead him to live out one of his favorite Scripture verses, 2 Timothy 4:2, "I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction."
Ben was born in Valparaiso, Indiana, and grew up in a Christian home. His parents instilled in him strong Biblical values and beliefs, along with a love for Jesus. He accepted the Lord Jesus as his Savior when he was six, and fully committed his life to the Lord's service in college. During his senior year at Purdue University he responded to the Lord's call to use his gifts as a missionary pilot. He learned about mission aviation through his friend Jason Pratt, an MAF missionary serving in Indonesia. Ben's first overseas missionary experience was with an outreach ministry in Greece, during the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Ben holds a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating. He is also a certified instrument flight instructor in single-engine aircraft -- land and sea, and multi-engine land. In addition, he has airframe and powerplant mechanic certificates. Ben graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in Aviation Technology, and has taken Biblical courses from Moody Bible Institute and Trinity Bible College. For the last five years Ben has sharpened his aviation skills working as a pilot/mechanic.
Katie grew up in Highland, Indiana, as the youngest of 4 girls. She accepted the Lord as her personal Savior at the age of 15, when her sister invited her to a non-denominational church. She committed her life to serving the Lord a year after graduating high school. God kindled her desire to serve Him overseas after talking to a man from Africa, but it wasn't until she met her husband that she learned about MAF. They met at a young adult group in Chesterton, Indiana, and were married in the fall of 2005. Katie attributes much of her growth to God's Word, the Bible courses she took at Moody Bible Institute, and the discipleship she received from her pastor's wife. Professionally, Katie has worked as a dental assistant and in food service.
Ben shares, "One thing that the Lord has taught me is that the mission field isn't only overseas, but begins right where He has us, with our families, friends and neighbors." A Scripture that is important to Ben is 2 Timothy 2:2, "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." This is a reminder to Ben that discipleship is important, and to what the Lord calls us in Matthew 28.
Katie is eager to see firsthand how God is working throughout the world and shares with Ben the desire to bring the lost to Jesus. Her favorite verse is Matthew 19:26, "And looking upon them, Jesus said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" She says, "This verse assures me that it is not by my strength, ability, or thinking, but by God's power alone that things will be done according to His perfect will. This will be a great challenge to me as I prepare to live with my family in a new country, but I know that all things will eventually work out because God is in control."
To fund the worldwide ministry of MAF, God is faithful in providing generous ministry support from His caring 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 have a special role in the ministry of MAF around the world. You are invited to partner with Ben and Katie in this strategic ministry. Please prayerfully consider involvement with them through prayer and/or financial support.
