Bastkes with MARC

Peter was born in Norway to missionary parents. He grew up in Germany, where his parents were based as they worked with the Torchbearer Bible Schools worldwide and other ministries such as Operation Mobilization.  Sara was born in Petersburg, Alaska.  Her parents served with Mission Aviation Fellowship in Ecuador, Ethiopia, and with other aviation ministries in Alaska and Canada.  Both Peter and Sara made decisions to follow Christ at a young age and wanted to become missionaries.  After each completed Bible school, Sara earned teaching degrees, and Peter earned degrees and credentials in aviation as a pilot and airplane mechanic.  

Peter and Sara met in Port Alsworth, Alaska, where he worked as a pilot and mechanic for two years.  The experience in Alaska helped prepare him for serving as a pilot in remote locations.  Shortly after their marriage, they joined Mission Aviation Fellowship and worked in Papua & Central Kalimantan, Indonesia; Kabul, Afghanistan; and Mali, West Africa.  Next, the Bastke family continued their ministry with Flying Mission Service in Gaborone, Botswana, where Peter served as Manager of Safety and taught African nationals at Flying Mission Service maintenance school. 

In September 2014, Peter was asked to become the Executive Director of MARC in Soldotna, Alaska.  He oversees operations and works as a pilot and mechanic. 

Peter and Sara are blessed with four boys, Nathaniel, Benjamin, Josiah, and Samuel.