United Methodist Aviation Ministries Pilots

Jacques Akasa Umembudi

Jacques Akasa Umembudi is a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) of The United Methodist Church assigned to the Wings of Caring Aviation Ministry in Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). 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, when 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 places 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 the 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, DRC, Jacques has been a mission pilot-mechanic based in Kananga, DRC since 1990.  For five years 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, and as an assistant technical director in Lodja, DRC. He also worked as a math teacher for a time in Wembo-Nyama, DRC, after graduating from high school in the 1970s.

Jacques holds an Associate's degree in Aviation and as a pilot and mechanic from Texas State Technical College. in Waco, Texas.  He also did additional aviation training with Flight Safety International in Wichita, Kansas in 1990. He also holds an engineering degree in electro-mechanic's from I.S.T.A. in Kinshasa, DRC.

Jacques is married to Poto Valentine Shutsha, who is also a GBGM missionary. They have three sons, Akasa Umembudi Mignon, Shamba Umembudi Gigi and Otoko Umembudi Dennis.  Jacques father, the late Akasa Okitowa Alphonse, was a pastor with the United Methodist Church.

Jacques Akasa Umembudi is available for Covenant Relationship support in Florida Annual Conference, Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference, Virginia Annual Conference, and Western North Carolina Annual Conference.

Make an online donation to Jacques Akasa Umembudi, #14020Z

Rukang Chikomb

Rukang Chikomb is a US licensed missionary pilot for Southern Congo Wings of the Morning Aviation Ministry of The United Methodist Church. Rukang serves as pilot-mechanic and acting director for the Southern Congo Wings of the Morning Aviation Ministry assigned to the Southern Congo Conference.

“I am so blessed to be a part of history for serving God‘s people here in Africa and around the world,” says Rukang.  “The message that Christ brought to Earth was and is still being learned all over around the world today—love.”
 
Rukang was born in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where he attended local schools and earned a state diploma in chemistry and biology.  He grew up and went to school in Kapanga, DRC at the United Methodist mission station. As a child, he used to go to the airstrip and help workers fill the holes in the dirt runway to smooth the landing surface for the next arriving aircraft.  In return, the missionaries paid for his school fees.  

Before coming to the US for aviation training in 1999, Rukang worked in various capacities for the Southern Congo Wings of the Morning Aviation Ministry including hangar construction assistant and public relations assistant.

Rukang is married to Fresie Nandona Chikomb. They are parents of three children, Andre Kayakez, Sally Elizabeth, and Selena Nora.

Make an online donation to Rukang Chikomb, Wings of the Morning, # 08596A

Gaston Nkulu Ntambo

Gaston Nkulu Ntambo is a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) of The United Methodist Church assigned to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Based in Lubumbashi, Gaston serves as a pilot and mechanic with the Wings of the Morning Aviation Ministry in the North Katanga Conference.

The aviation ministry provides transportation in hard-to-reach areas of Africa, especially in emergency situations. Reflecting on his work, Gaston says, “I believe God is using me as a tool to reach out and save lives.” He recalls that he once flew unknowingly into a war zone in an attempt to save lives. “As a miracle, the highest officer in that village on that day happened to also be my uncle,” he reports. “Out of nowhere, he suddenly introduced himself to me for the first time.”

A native of Kamina, DRC, Gaston earned Associate degrees in accounting and piloting from Davis College in Toledo, Ohio. He received a mechanic's certificate from the Michigan Institute of Aeronautics in Detroit, Michigan.

Prior to his commissioning as a GBGM missionary, Gaston worked six years as a Wings of the Morning pilot. He previously served as an assistant and secretary with the United Methodist Church in Lumbumbashi, DRC.

Gaston, who is a member of a local United Methodist church in Luena, is married to Jeanne Kabove Ntambo, also a GBGM missionary. They have five children, Andy and Lorree Nkulu, Gabriel Kahenga, Noah Kabove and Eileen. Gaston's father is Bishop Ntambo Nkulu of the North Katanga Conference.  

Gaston Nkulu Ntambo is available for Covenant Relationship support in Central Texas Annual Conference, North Texas Annual Conference, and West Ohio Annual Conference.

Make an online donation to Gaston Nkulu Ntambo, #14177Z.