Meet the Federwitz Family – LBT’s Newest Missionaries  

As a licensed pilot, Nathan Federwitz has a checklist of items to review before each takeoff. Each item is important to ensuring a safe and successful flight. Nathan and his wife, Sarah, have been working through one of their most comprehensive “pre-flight checklists” to date—one that prepares them to move their family of four to Papua New Guinea to serve as missionaries for Lutheran Bible Translators. 

Faith and Family Foundation 

Nathan and Sarah have been preparing for a life of missionary service long before they learned they would be moving to Papua New Guinea.  

Nathan is the son of missionaries and was raised in Papua New Guinea. He attended Concordia University Wisconsin, where he received a bachelor’s degree in missions with a Director of Church Ministries certification. Following that, he attended the School for Missionary Aviation Technology in Ionia, Michigan and has his aviation maintenance certification and commercial pilot’s license.  

Sarah is the daughter of a Lutheran Army chaplain. She also attended Concordia University Wisconsin, earning a degree in theology before completing the deaconess studies program at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind.  

Together, the Federwitzes received missionary training from Lutheran Bible Translators to prepare for their work in Papua New Guinea. Since deciding to devote their lives to missionary service, Nathan and Sarah have welcomed two sons, EJ and JJ, who are now toddlers.  

Waiting for a Destination 

While the Federwitzes knew for some time they wanted to serve as missionaries, it wasn’t as simple as selecting a location and being sent anywhere in the world. 

With Nathan’s aviation experience, he was assigned to work with JAARS, an organization that supports Bible translation efforts through aviation, technology, and transportation, alongside Lutheran Bible Translators. Aligning Nathan’s skill set with the needs of both organizations became critical in determining his placement. After nearly two years of waiting, the couple learned last year that they would be sent to Papua New Guinea.  

Making a Difference Through Air Travel 

In a family update, Sarah wrote that Nathan was excited to be able to return to Papua New Guinea and serve the region in a new way along with his wife and children.  

Many communities in Papua New Guinea are difficult to access or extremely remote. Aviation missionaries like Nathan provide essential transportation for translators, supplies, materials, and essentials to areas that would otherwise take days to reach.  

Despite his previous aviation training, Nathan’s preparation for missionary work included a four-month Pre-Field Orientation. The classes and hands-on flight training prepared him for the rigors of overseas flying and the challenges of a different environment. As a bonus, Nathan’s dad, Jonathan, also a pilot with JAARS, supported much of Nathan’s training. 

During training, Nathan learned to fly a new aircraft, work on a specific engine used in the Kodiak plane he will operate in Papua New Guinea, complete safety training courses designed for missionaries serving in potentially dangerous situations, and practice dropping supplies into communities where landing a plane may be impossible.  

More Than a Flight Plan 

While Nathan learned the specifics of missionary aviation, the Federwitz family spent months preparing for the move overseas. This included preparing enough clothing for two young and growing boys and determining what items were important to bring to Papua New Guinea without taking up a lot of space. Earlier this year, the items were boxed up and shipped to the family’s new home with the hope that they arrive soon so the family can begin to settle in. 

Follow the Journey 

Nathan and Sarah have documented their preparation for missionary service through regular updates on the Lutheran Bible Translators website. Follow their life and ministry in Papua New Guinea from the Federwitz family’s missionary page at LBT.org/missionary/nathan-and-sarah-federwitz/.