by Savannah McPhail

Regional Directors Serve Missionaries

Forrest & Jennifer McPhail: Asia, Australia, and Oceania

An Interview with my dad

Forrest McPhail is the Regional Director for Asia, Australia, and Oceania. He, his wife Jennifer, and their three children still at home continue to minister in Pursat, Cambodia. In their role with GFA, Forrest and Jennifer are responsible for visiting the missionaries in their region, encouraging them through prayer, helping them strategize for effectiveness, and offering them counsel. They have been filling this role since 2018 and would like to share some thoughts with you.

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE LOGISTICS OF WORKING IN YOUR REGION?

We have 40 families or single missionaries under our care, including the missionary kids. Our goal is to visit each “unit” at least once every two years. In the last year and a half, we’ve been to Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, and twice to Papua New Guinea, often visiting multiple families in one trip. In the upcoming months we will also be paying a visit to a creative access nation and then to the Philippines. We also travel to the U.S. a couple of times a year for meetings.

HOW DO THE MCPHAILS AS A FAMILY WORK INTO THE PICTURE?

Though Forrest has the title of director, Jennifer is absolutely a vital partner in all aspects of the work. At home in Cambodia she serves as the indispensable and skillful secretary, and Forrest avoids traveling without her at all costs. Her contribution on visits is extremely valuable in fellowship with the missionary women and getting to know their hearts.

When possible, we bring a child along. Elijah (14) has been to South Korea, Sierra (11) to Taiwan, and Micaiah (16) to the Philippines. We see this as an excellent opportunity to involve the kids in ministry and for them to get experience. The kids can also connect with other MKs on different fields. And we are still living in Cambodia, homeschooling and continuing to serve in whatever God allows.

HOW DO YOU BALANCE GFA WITH CAMBODIAN MINISTRY?

We consider the GFA regional directorship as our primary ministry. Even when we are not traveling, we have many Skype or Zoom meetings with directors (interesting sometimes with the time difference), and we are constantly keeping up with our missionaries, which involves lots of correspondence.

The Cambodian ministry is constantly evolving. We are currently in a support role with another missionary family leading. Sometimes Forrest preaches, does village ministry, attends prayer meetings, and teaches around Cambodia. He is planning to do so in an upcoming gospel conference.

WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU THE MOST ON YOUR TRIPS?

Each missionary and family has a different set of circumstances and background. That means a different set of needs. Every field and every place on each field has different dynamics and history involved. It is vital that we understand the context of the ministries that we are working with. We have been surprised by the extremes!

For example, Seoul, South Korea is a mega Asian city: high tech, educated, etc. A problem faced there is materialism. On the other hand, Kiari, Papua New Guinea, is a remote tribal village on a mountain, accessible only by small planes and helicopters. Missionaries there are working to disciple in a context of extreme ignorance. Another comparison could be Cambodia vs. Australia. The one country is post-war, with a generation that is doing everything it can to become middle class. Life is hard and insecure, and Buddhism and spirit-worship predominate. The other is wealthy, content, and self-satisfied, saturated with Western paganism.

WHY WOULD YOU SAY YOUR WORK AS "SHEPHERDS TO THE SHEPHERDS" IS SO IMPORTANT?

Having been missionaries these past 19 years in Cambodia, we understand the challenges, obstacles, and spiritual needs of our fellow missionaries. We are still engaged on the field, so the issues are very fresh on our minds and hearts when we visit brothers and sisters on other fields. Missionaries need encouragement and counsel on multiple levels. Each stage of life and ministry has its challenges. Cross-cultural life and ministry take their toll on the body and soul. It is a great blessing when missionaries know that people in leadership at GFA are experienced missionaries devoted to knowing them, praying for them, and serving them.

WHAT ARE WAYS YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SERVE MISSIONARIES IN YOUR REGION SO FAR?

We have offered counsel about team ministry dynamics, complex ministry problems, and government regulation and visa issues. We have strategized about ministry, offered monthly accountability, and given parenting and homeschool advice. We have helped with younger missionaries transitioning to the field, and older missionaries who are working to transition to other types of ministry. We are also here to help resolve conflict with other missionaries.

We appreciate prayer for spiritual wisdom and humility in understanding our missionaries so we can give true encouragement, as well as for the provision of funds to be able to make trips to visit our missionaries, and, of course, for new laborers to serve in our region!