The Beginning of Macedonian Call Foundation

Macedonian Call Foundation has loaned over 1,380 cars to missionaries!

Harvey & Charlene Kneisel served as foreign missionaries for 14 years in Guyana, Philippines, Cayman Islands and India. He later pastored churches in Oklahoma and Texas before becoming the Minister of Missions at Houston's First Baptist Church. As a veteran missionary, he knew the needs and struggles of missionaries who returned back to the US for temporary furlough, or as it is now called "stateside assignment." About every four years, most foreign missionaries will return to the US for a short term (six months to one year) to refresh themselves, work on training and education, share about their work and spend time with family and loved ones. Finding a suitable place to live and transportation is difficult.

In 1980, Harvey began MCF, a non-profit charitable organization, to loan cars to missionaries to use while living in the United States. The missionaries would fly to Houston, pick up their car and use it while they were on stateside. Their only expense is about $100 per month insurance plus any minor vehicle repairs they may have while using the vehicle.

All of the MCF cars have been donated by Christians who want to be a blessing to these missionaries that serve the Lord in foreign lands spreading the gospel. Those donors not only receive tax credit from the IRS, but become a huge blessing to many missionaries who will use their vehicle over the next several years.

MCF of Texas currently has a fleet of 26 cars that are actively serving missionaries in five states.

Overview of How MCF Works

Vehicle are Donated

Anyone can donate a car or vehicle to MCF. Most donors are people who have a love for missions and want to be a blessing to those that faithfully serve the Lord in other lands. MCF accepts all kinds of vehicles: cars, trucks, vans, RVs, boats and even planes! (Go to our Donate page for detailed instructions.)

Vehicles are Refurbished or Sold

Each vehicle that is donated is thoroughly inspected and analyzed for its highest and best use. Good reliable vehicles will have any minor repairs made, given new tires and an oil change. They are then loaned out to missionaries to use while serving in the US. Cars that are not deemed suitable for missionary use are sold and the money is used to do the needed repairs and maintenance on the other vehicles. Most recreational vehicles, planes, boats and high maintenance vehicles are sold for this purpose. This is how MCF can operate its fleet of cars without having to charge the missionaries.

Missionaries Apply to for a MCF Car

Once a missionary knows their schedule when they will be returning to the US, they need to contact MCF to request a car for the months they will need a vehicle. A missionary may request the use of a car for up to one year. Most generally use the cars between three to twelve months. MCF will try to loan cars that match each missionary's family size. A missionary may request a car up to nine months prior to their need date. (See our Application page for more details.)

Who Does MCF Loan Cars Too?

Macedonian Call Foundation only loans out cars to missionaries who are currently serving in foreign lands. They must serve on the field through an appointed missionary organization and must return back to the field following their domestic stay. MCF gives priority scheduling to IMB appointed missionaries, but will also loan out vehicles to any missionary who qualify and serve with any other evangelical missionary organizations. (Wycliffe, New Tribes, YWAM, TEAM, Hope for the Nations, Cornerstone International, International Justice Mission, Pioneers, etc..) MCF does not loan out vehicles to benevolent cases, ministers, out of town visitors or any non-foreign missionary personnel.

MCF of Texas only loans cars to qualified missionaries who will reside in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Missouri or Louisiana. (See other MCF locations page for additional states.)

Vehicle Pick up and Return

Missionaries are required to come to Houston to pick up and return the cars. Relatives or friends are not allowed to pick up or return the vehicles. Free transportation is usually provided for the missionaries to and from one of the local Houston airports. MCF uses volunteers who offer to help with this need! (See our volunteer page for more details.) All cars have a full tank of gas, fresh oil change and are in good working order. Each missionary is required to do all minor maintenance on the car while it is in their possession. (Oil changes, tire repairs, headlights, etc..) They also pay a prorated fee for insurance which is usually about $100 per month. Each missionary is required to return the cars with a full tank of gas and a fresh oil change.

MCF Affiliations

MCF is not supported by any organizations, churches or individuals. All of its operating funds come from donations of vehicles or other assets from private individuals and churches. MCF partners with the International Mission Board (IMB), the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and other state Baptist conventions, but is not financially supported by any them. MCF will work with any qualified missionary who is appointed through any established evangelical missionary sending organization.

MCF of Texas also partners with other independent sister MCF ministries in other states: Mississippi, Georgia & South Carolina. (See other MCF locations page)

Macedonian Call Foundation Board Members

Rev. Harvey Kneisel, President
John Brunson, Attorney
Rev. Pat Bullock
Ben Kimbrough
Mrs. Pinky Pampell
Mrs. Marjorie Ledbetter
Dr. Jon Enloe
Mrs. Charlene Kneisel
Dr. Robert A. Pearle
Rev. William Taylor
Rev. Dan Craig
Rev. Terry Fox
 Dale Tracy
Mary Ann Sherrill
Stanton Felder

MCF Coordinator / Executive Secretary

Bonnie Craig
Email MCF of Texas

MCF Purpose Statement

"Macedonian Call Foundation exists primarily to assist the ministry of stateside assignment Southern Baptist Missionaries with free transportation and housing and to be directly involved in Great Commission mission projects."