Jonathan Phillips has been serving in Eurasia for 17 years. As a missionary on sponsored deployment, he currently leads the Church of the Nazarene in Romania as district superintendent. Today, we get a glimpse into another part of a missionary’s role – Home Assignment, where missionaries return to their home country to share stories of what God is doing through the Church of the Nazarene around the world.
 
Following seven weeks in the United States for home assignment, Jonathan Phillips returned to Romania after speaking in 17 church services and 5 small groups across three Nazarene districts, travelling through 9 airports, driving more than 4,200 km in 6 rental and borrowed cars, and staying in 13 different beds across 7 states and 2 countries.
 
“Home assignment is a blend of promoting Nazarene missions, visiting and thanking long-time sponsors and prayer supporters, raising funds for my deputation account, reconnecting with friends, spending time with family, getting regular medical check-ups, buying items to take back to Romania – all while also keeping up with certain responsibilities in Romania,” Jonathan shared.
 
During his time in churches and small groups, Jonathan shared stories of how missions giving through the World Evangelism Fund, Alabaster, Work & Witness, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, special projects, and missionary deputation is making a difference in Romania. He also led smaller groups in prayer for the four ministry areas that continue to shape his work in Romania: making disciples, equipping leaders, developing churches, and serving through compassionate ministries.
 
Jonathan also reflected on how home assignment broadens the perspective of missionaries as they reconnect with Nazarene congregations in many different contexts and communities.

“A seldom-mentioned aspect of home assignment is that as I visit churches, I gain a broader vision, too,” Jonathan remarked.
 
Join us in prayer for missionaries across the Eurasia Region as they travel, reconnect with churches and supporters, and continue serving faithfully in the places where God has called them.