PROFILE ...
Mike grew up in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, where he left school to undertake a degree in Mechanical Engineering at The University of Salford. Whilst there he was involved in the Manchester and Salford Universities Air Squadron, learning how to fly small planes with the RAF. It was at university that Mike became a Christian and began to get involved with Christian ministry in the local Methodist church as a lay preacher and the Anglican, Methodist and Free Church Society at college, of which he served as President for a year. During this time he came into contact with Mission Aviation Fellowship where he saw the opportunity to combine full-time Christian ministry with his love of flying.
In 1987, following university, Mike went to Cliff College near Sheffield to undergo a year’s training in Biblical Studies and also to test his call to mission work.
Having confirmed his calling, in 1989 he left Britain for the United States to train for three years as a pilot & aircraft engineer at Moody Aviation in Tennessee (part of the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago). Here he obtained his aircraft mechanics’ licences, private and commercial pilots’ licences and Flight Instructor and Multi-Engine qualifications. During his time in the US, Mike also served as Assistant Pastor, Music Director and Youth Sunday School leader at a local United Methodist Church.
Cheryl became a Christian at the age of 17 and felt even then that she wanted to work on the mission field. With this in mind she went to the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne to study for a degree in Agricultural and Food Marketing, which included an emphasis on the developing countries.
After leaving Newcastle in 1985 she worked for Christian Outreach (CORD), a Christian relief agency, as an administrator. She also had the opportunity to travel in communist China for three months before returning to England in 1987.
Cheryl then went to Cliff College to increase her knowledge of the Bible. It was there that she met Mike. She stayed on at Cliff for a second year, studying for a diploma in evangelism and leading missions.
After temping and working as the Principal’s secretary at the college, Cheryl went over to the USA to work at a childrens’ summer camp and determine future career steps. A brief visit to Moody Aviation renewed and developed an old friendship.
On returning to England, she settled into life in Nantwich, Cheshire, working at a primary school and developing ministry through the local Methodist church as a lay preacher. During the following months her relationship with Mike developed by correspondence and occasional contact during holidays.
In August 1991, Cheryl joined an expedition to West Africa for a month with the Christian group 'World Horizons’. The time spent working with the church there and travelling confirmed her calling to missions.
With God’s call clearly confirmed in their lives, Mike and Cheryl were married on August 8th 1992.
After a year of raising prayer and financial support, they began 6 months of courses including language study in France and Switzerland to prepare them for their future assignment with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) in Madagascar. They left for Africa in May 1994.
During their time in Madagascar, Mike’s primary role was flying and maintaining MAF’s two twin-engine planes based in the capital, Antananarivo, whilst Cheryl worked some of the time in the MAF office, relating to customers and carrying out the many administrative tasks involved in the programme.
Outside their MAF duties, Mike and Cheryl were also involved in starting an English speaking church, taking responsibilities on the committee as Chairman and Treasurer as well as preaching and service leading commitments. They had the privilege of starting the first Madagascar Alpha course, teaching local people the basics of Christianity.
Joanna was born two years into their term during a brief visit back in England for the event.
Their term in Madagascar finished in December 1996 and after 8 months of home assignment in the UK (leading meetings and services about their work) they left for a new two-year assignment in Uganda.
Mike’s role in Uganda was primarily flying and he occasionally stood in as Operations Manager when needed. Cheryl devoted her time to bringing up Joanna and getting involved in the local community.
Aside from work, they both had leadership roles in a local family church and started an Alpha course in Kampala.
After returning to the UK from Uganda in May 1999, they rented a Manse in Earl Shilton, Leicestershire and settled back into life in the UK and started to prepare for the arrival of William, born on September 16th.
In September 1999, Mike started a project called Resource. This project grew out of Mike’s experience and desire to see overseas mission work made more efficient and effective. During their time overseas, one of Mike’s prime motivations has been to serve other missions as an enabler, in the most effective way his gifts and abilities could allow. As God’s plan for 'Resource’ unfolded, Mike & Cheryl felt strongly that this was the way forward for them and that such a work could prove very significant for the world of Missions.
Through 'Resource’, Mike’s main task has been setting up a UK based service to provide missionaries and mission organisations with information, resources and advice. He has been networking between many mission organisations and service providers to establish this service. The service website, called 'OSCAR', was launched on the Internet in March 2000. Development of this site and service continues to be Mike's prime work.
In August 2003, after extensive talks with Redcliffe College in Gloucester, the Frith Family moved to Gloucester and Mike transferred his office to within the campus of the college. Mike now continues to run OSCAR, but also gives some help, advice and lecturing time to the college.
Mike & Cheryl produce a quarterly newsletter called The Frith Flyer. If you would like to receive this or if you would like to find out more about their ministry, please Click here.
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