Introducing
Max Chapman
Max was born to Christian parents, Gordon and Ruth, in October 1938 in the Baptist Manse, North Carlton, Victoria. He received Jesus Christ as Saviour at about age 8. He remembers the time and circumstances very well, but not the exact date!
Throughout his teenage years, Max lived with hundreds of needy people, both young and old, in his parent’s Christian Welfare Home, first at West Breen, then later at Eltham. Youth camps at Belgrave Heights Conventions were always a highlight of that time.
It was at an Easter Convention in 1961 that Max and Verna, his wife, were encouraged to attend Bible College. They attended the Melbourne Bible Institute in 1962 to 1963 and completed a Diploma of Theology.
In October 1968, after some years managing a trucking business, Max was aware of a growing prompting from God to begin flying lessons. This made sense when he led a work party to West Irian (now known as West Papua) for the Baptist mission to build houses in the North Baliem Valley. There, he was challenged to approach Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), having already attained his commercial flying licence. MAF is a Christian organisation that provides aviation services to people living in remove areas around the world. In January 1975, Max and Verna were accepted into MAF, and henceforth spent a year obtaining flying experience.
From 1977 to 2010, Max acted as pilot, builder, manager, and all-round handyman in Wewak, off the northern coast of PNG. Across his career with MAF, Max spent time in PNG, Aceh, Dili East Timor, and Arnhem Land. All of this was achieved alongside raising four daughters, Karen, Joanne (Lambden), Alison and Deanne.
In 2010, Verna was diagnosed with lymphoma. After a period of caring for his wife and co-worker of 53 years, Verna was welcomed home to be with her Lord at on Sat, Aug 10, 2013.
Max now enjoys spending time with his 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, most of whom are in Queensland, and whose ages range from 0 to 35!
In October 2013, Max accepted the appointment of MAF Advocates (Vic) Area Coordinator. During the next 4 years, 200 meetings resulted in traveling over 10,000km, thanks to his trusty motorhome.
In November 2017, Max accepted the responsibility of manager for the AvServe Flight Simulator Truck Program and combined these two activities in a unique ministry of school, college, camps, church services, career and mission expos, family and organisational functions.
After selling his home in Victoria in 2022, Max moved to Eli Waters. He shortly after became a member of HBBC. These days, he is involved in developing relational opportunities to support StreetWorks, which aims to connect and assist people experiencing homelessness in Torquay.
His favourite hymn is “Great is your faithfulness”.
Throughout his teenage years, Max lived with hundreds of needy people, both young and old, in his parent’s Christian Welfare Home, first at West Breen, then later at Eltham. Youth camps at Belgrave Heights Conventions were always a highlight of that time.
It was at an Easter Convention in 1961 that Max and Verna, his wife, were encouraged to attend Bible College. They attended the Melbourne Bible Institute in 1962 to 1963 and completed a Diploma of Theology.
In October 1968, after some years managing a trucking business, Max was aware of a growing prompting from God to begin flying lessons. This made sense when he led a work party to West Irian (now known as West Papua) for the Baptist mission to build houses in the North Baliem Valley. There, he was challenged to approach Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), having already attained his commercial flying licence. MAF is a Christian organisation that provides aviation services to people living in remove areas around the world. In January 1975, Max and Verna were accepted into MAF, and henceforth spent a year obtaining flying experience.
From 1977 to 2010, Max acted as pilot, builder, manager, and all-round handyman in Wewak, off the northern coast of PNG. Across his career with MAF, Max spent time in PNG, Aceh, Dili East Timor, and Arnhem Land. All of this was achieved alongside raising four daughters, Karen, Joanne (Lambden), Alison and Deanne.
In 2010, Verna was diagnosed with lymphoma. After a period of caring for his wife and co-worker of 53 years, Verna was welcomed home to be with her Lord at on Sat, Aug 10, 2013.
Max now enjoys spending time with his 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, most of whom are in Queensland, and whose ages range from 0 to 35!
In October 2013, Max accepted the appointment of MAF Advocates (Vic) Area Coordinator. During the next 4 years, 200 meetings resulted in traveling over 10,000km, thanks to his trusty motorhome.
In November 2017, Max accepted the responsibility of manager for the AvServe Flight Simulator Truck Program and combined these two activities in a unique ministry of school, college, camps, church services, career and mission expos, family and organisational functions.
After selling his home in Victoria in 2022, Max moved to Eli Waters. He shortly after became a member of HBBC. These days, he is involved in developing relational opportunities to support StreetWorks, which aims to connect and assist people experiencing homelessness in Torquay.
His favourite hymn is “Great is your faithfulness”.
Posted in Introducing