FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:

1:00 P.M., Monday, August 22, 2016

(Loading of the plane/pilot interview)

INAUGURAL MISSION FLIGHT TO CUBA

Venice, Fla., – Agape Flights, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Christian aviation ministry will make its inaugural flight from Venice Municipal Airport to Jose Marti International Airport, Havana, Cuba on TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016 at 7:30 A.M.

Agape’s plane, an Embraer 110, will be loaded on MONDAY, August 22, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. with 26 water purification units and 64 boxes of Tender Mercies food packets.  Steve Koch and Jeff Yannucciello will pilot the hour and a half, 260 nautical mile flight to meet Agape Flights’ CEO Allen Speer, representatives from the Cuban Council of Churches, Dan Christopherson (United Methodist South West District Cuba Coordinator), and millions of Cubans ready to receive the living water and bread of Christ.

“We pray that God will multiply the loaves and fishes,” commented Speer.  The 26 water purification units, purchased by the Methodist Churches of the South West District of Florida, will go to 26 different Methodist churches within the Holguin District in Cuba.  These units will give Cubans access to clean water, filtered at the source.  The 64 boxes of Tender Mercies food packets, donated by Midwest Food Bank, will provide 10,240 meals to those in need of nourishment.

Funds to cover Agape’s cost of this inaugural flight were generously donated by a member of the Church of the Pines, Royal Coachman Park, in Nokomis, Florida.

Agape Flights touches the lives of millions through its affiliated missionaries who provide clean water, community health, education, evangelism, medical services, micro-enterprise, orphan care, and vocational training.  More than 19 million people live in the areas regularly reached by Agape’s mission flights to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Bahamas.  This number is growing to 30 million as Agape expands cargo service into the largest island in the Caribbean, Cuba.

###

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Abby Duncan: 941.488.0990

Fax: 941.485.3020

Agape Flights, Inc.

100 Airport Ave E, Venice, FL 34285

www.agapeflights.com

Agape Flights runs on a staff of 9, but we really have a staff of more than 109 when you take in to account all of the volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to this ministry.  On an average week 30-40 volunteers commit themselves to the mission of Agape Flights: To Serve Christ by Serving His Missionaries.  Volunteers do everything from piloting the plane to cleaning the hangar and offices.  We are SO THANKFUL for our volunteers and so are the missionaries we serve!  Read Agape Volunteer Appreciation Letters from missionaries–this really says it all right here!

On March 26, 2015 we were able to turn the Agape Hangar into a 1950’s style diner with a soda fountain, juke box, burgers, floats & a whole lotta love as a way to have fun with our volunteers and show our appreciation for them!  See photos below:

volunteers-listening-to-program

Serving-Volunteers-on-SKates

root-beer-floats

Enjoying-Burgers-and-Fiends

volunteers-having-fun

Volunteer-Banner

Staff-50s-Diner

burgers

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

Your vote could mean $10,000!

Agape Flights is one of 15 finalists to participate in the 2014 Lightspeed Aviation Foundation Pilot’s Choice Grant Program.  The nonprofits gathering the most votes from supporters and the aviation community will receive a grant of up to $10,000.

Please help us spread the word by printing, passing & posting this Lightspeed Informational Flier.

Thank You!