//About the Flying BibleMan
What is this all about?
The Flying BibleMan ministry was born from the vision of its pioneer pilot, Mr Trevor Booth in 1966. Trevor could see a need for an itinerant ministry that would take the Word of God to remote places in his home state of Western Australia. Trevor initially hired a plane and set off from Perth to share the Word of God with people in the remote communities and cattle stations in the north and east of the state. His visits were so well received that he was encouraged to purchase an aeroplane and make the ministry a more permanent feature of Bible Society work in the west.
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Since Trevor's pioneering efforts, several 'Flying BibleMen' have continued the ministry; Ian Sexton, Laurie Edwards and John Western. The FBM ministry has changed over the years to take into account the changing needs of remote communities and the improvements in technology and communications. But the core of the ministry remains the same - to make the Bible available to people in a language they understand, a format they can use and at a price they can afford. |
Phil took over from Laurie Edwards in February 2002 after Laurie had served two terms as 'Flying BibleMan'.
Today, Phil flies across the 'Top End' from Broome in the west, throughout all of the Northern Territory, the northern communities of South Australia, Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait. That is an area of over 3 million square kilometres or 40% of Australia's land mass. There are literally hundreds of small communities dotted throughout that area; many are difficult to reach by road (or even unreachable in the wet season).
However, BXT, is a short-field aeroplane meaning that it can land at almost any bush airstrip. That allows Phil to go anywhere - especially to the most remote Australians who rarely have the privilege of Christian fellowship beyond their own family members.
Phil can be called upon to preach, teach the Bible, teach Religious Instruction in schools, counsel people, show Christian films or just sit and encourage people to live for Jesus. It's a multi-faceted ministry that keeps the FBM on his toes and ready, as 1 Peter 3:15b says "to give an account for the hope that is within us".
It is a great privilege to see people grow in their faith as they are strengthened by God's Word. On a recent trip, Phil took part in a Bible Study with a group of indigenous Christians who came together to see what God had to say through His Word to them. The Bible is not available in all languages and so some still need to refer to English Scriptures. In the photo opposite, Katie is holding her copy of the CEV Bible in Large Print. Due to poor eyesight and low light conditions, indigenous people prefer large print scriptures which the Bible Society, through the generosity of its donors, supplies at greatly subsidised prices. Katie was delighted to receive a free Bible from Phil and is keen to see the Word of God available to people who can't read. In 2006 Phil went back to Maningrida and recorded Mark's Gospel in the Burarra language. Together with a reprinted booklet, the CDs make a welcome addition to thechurch's resources now.
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