This year PMA celebrates 50 years of service in Micronesia with Headquarters in Guam and mission stations in Pohnpei, Yap, Palau and the Philippines.
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.” Ps. 115:1
In January 1956, Rev. Edmund Kalau and his wife Elisabeth began their missionary work in Palau and 3 years later moved Yap, Micronesia. During numerous trips to the outer islands aboard a Trust Territory field trip ships, Rev. Kalau witnessed firsthand the tragic loss of life among sick individuals being transported to district hospitals due to the slow travel times. Troubled by these repeated occurrences, he envisioned a more effective way to provide medical assistance—by air. This dream became Pacific Mission Aviation.
Determined to turn this vision into reality, Rev. Kalau personally raised funds for the missions first aircraft in the United States and Germany. In July 1974, he and fellow pilot Maurice Pickard ferried the first aircraft from the U.S. across Europe and Asia to Yap. However, the Mission Society they had served for over 20 years did not share their vision for an expanded aviation program. Knowing the immense potential of airborne aid in critical medical situations and firmly believing in God’s calling, the Kalau family chose to step away from the Mission Society and follow the path they believed God had called them to. With three teenage children studying in the Philippines and no guaranteed financial support, the journey was uncertain. Yet, faithful friends in Germany and the U.S. provided modest assistance for their family and the necessary resources for aircraft maintenance and fuel.
In 1975, PMA was incorporated in Guam. The vision grew beyond Micronesia, and in 1982, PMA extended its mission to the Philippines.
As PMA’s impact deepened, God continued to expand the mission. In addition to aviation operations, medical/relief vessels were deployed to serve remote islands and atolls without airstrips. Church planting and evangelism efforts intensified, opening doors to communities previously unreceptive to the Gospel due to PMA’s committed service.
In 1990, a Maritime & Fisheries Academy (MMFA) with a campus ministry was established in collaboration with the Yap State Government. PMA raised the funds for construction, equipment, staff and operations and managed the academy until its transition to the National Government in 2000. During PMA’s administration, 300 students graduated with 98% actively serving in the maritime field world-wide: U.S.A., Japan, Australia and FSM. A trade school, Construction Manpower and Development Center, (CMDC) was established in Pohnpei, FSM, in 1996. This was also turned over to the FSM Community College in 2001 with approximately 150 students graduating during the five-year period in carpentry, masonry, electrical and plumbing.
Beyond aviation and maritime outreach, PMA developed various ministries to address the needs of communities in Micronesia and the Philippines. Initiatives included youth centers, a printing shop, a multi-purpose auditorium, and an FM radio station, further strengthening PMA’s mission. In the Philippines, PMA established churches, an orphanage, learning centers, a dormitory facility, youth ministries, and Healtikas, offering accessible medicines, healthy alternatives to local island communities and clean water.
Each milestone stands as a testament to God’s unwavering faithfulness and the dedication of PMA missionaries, staff and supporters. With divine guidance and the continued favor of local governments and island communities, PMA’s mission continues to unfold. The foundation of all PMA endeavors remains unshaken: To glorify God and make Him known throughout the FSM, Palau and the Philippines.