Missionary Spotlight: Dan and Jeanie Phillips |
The Phillips family, longtime members at Christ Community Church, are heading to a new mission field in Washington state at Trinity Aviation Academy. The academy exists to“to help mold students in their God-given giftedness and talents through prayer, knowledge of God’s word, training, guidance, and encouragement to become missionaries as God's instruments serving as pilots and mechanics." |
Our journey to Washington began last summer when we went to visit our son, Samuel, at Trinity Aviation Academy. We fell in love with the school, its purpose, and the people there. It was odd, but we felt at home. At first, we did not understand that feeling. As we talked with the director and his wife, we learned that he was doing the jobs of several people and was overwhelmed. Near the end of our visit, he asked me (Dan) if I would consider taking over as the administrator of the school so that he could focus on his job as mechanic instructor. I wanted to say “yes,” but I knew that I needed to take time to listen to God to be sure it was His will. After fasting and prayer, I talked to Jeanie and the kids. We were all in. We decided to sell everything and go!
In what ways will you obtain funding for your outreach?
All of the positions at Trinity are non-paying. We will rely on my retirement pay as well as gifts and/or monthly support from others.
Describe your work with Trinity Aviation School in Eatonville, Washington.
We will be in charge of all the administrative aspects of the school. Our responsibilities will include supervising the students and staff, maintaining FAA records and submitting reports, bookkeeping, grounds and general maintenance. We’ll also maintain the school website, social media outlets, and be responsible for all correspondence.
What is currently your biggest challenge?
Selling our property and our petting farm business is our biggest challenge.
How do you see God at work through the aviation school?
God is raising up Godly men and women who will not only take the Gospel to the ends of the earth, but also provide much needed humanitarian aid as well. The students will not only be trained to fly, but also equipped to repair their planes since finding aviation mechanics in many places is almost impossible.
What is a fun fact about your work in Washington?
We get to live at the airport! Our house faces the hangar and runway. How cool is that?!
How can we specifically pray for you?
- We ask for wisdom to lead the school according to God’s purpose.
- We would ask for God’s favor in acclimating to a new culture and climate.
How long have you been enjoying Yoga? Since 2015.
How did the idea of having Yoga classes at CCC come about?
Someone from the 6:30 a.m. prayer gathering asked me if I would teach her some yoga in 2017. We started practicing together after the prayer meetings. People saw us and joined, and it slowly grew from there. Last fall, Anja asked if I would do it for LifeSchool. Now we have a nice little core of regulars.
Has the participation exceeded your expectations?
Yes. In December and January over the holiday break, we regularly had about 20 people. There were college students, youth group kids, and men and women of all ages. It was a really fun cross-section of our church.
Today, it is about 6-12 people.
What do you enjoy about serving in this capacity?
I love to see people start to notice that they are stronger. I really enjoy watching someone grow in confidence, and I love to see friendships start to develop among people who come regularly. We have some people who come mostly for the fellowship.
I also love the chance to pray and share scriptures. I take a long walk and pray before each class. He always gives me something to share!
What are some of your favorite moments from serving in Yoga?
I love when we laugh together. Someone complains about a certain stretch or pose... a little groaning and complaining is kind of funny. But everyone has learned that it only encourages me to make it a little harder! I love to see people get strong!
I love when non-Christians come for the free yoga. Angie Hollis is quite a natural evangelist, and people from her gym are always showing up saying Angie sent them! There are several who have expressed an interest in Jesus just from their time at Yoga.
We banded together to give rides to one woman and her children. Last week, we all rejoiced when she got her driver’s license. We will rejoice together again when she gets the job she needs and for which she hopes!
There is a woman from another church who comes a half hour early to be around the worship music and other believers.
But my very favorite thing is when we all spontaneously begin to worship and sing quietly as we move or stretch.
It is sweetly worshipful.
What would you tell someone who is wondering if they should get involved as a volunteer at CCC?
If there is something that you love doing or that has helped you; somewhere that you feel the Lord meets you-- consider sharing it! I think of the scene in Chariots of Fire when the runner said, “When I run, I feel God’s pleasure!” We can share those things with other people. I am not really that good at yoga. It certainly isn’t classic traditional yoga. It’s good enough to help people move, though. And people start to feel the pleasure that I have in Jesus as I move and encourage them.
I don’t need to be more than just a willing person who loves Jesus. That’s enough. That’s plenty! We can share that if we have it.
Every fifth Sunday, Christ Community Church celebrates Family Sunday, a time where children are invited to join the church body in corporate worship. CCC believes that our children need to understand that they worship the same God as the adults and that their relationship with Him is just as important.
Additionally, we like to incorporate fun ways to get the kids engaged with worship and the message, so we celebrated with a photo booth, video, keepsakes and more. Plus, Pursuit students led worship, and Pastor Derrick led us in an interactive lesson on "The Most Important Rule."
Take a look to see if your family was spotted!
Extraordinary Life
The CCC Blog is a collection of writings and images from staff members and guest contributors, all pointing to the extraordinary life made possible by a relationship with Jesus.
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