April 30th, 2019

Missionary Spotlight: Dan and Jeanie Phillips
A New Mission Field: Taking to the Skies in Washington 

​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." ​​

Briefly describe your journey to becoming missionaries in Washington.
​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.