Missionary profile – Rev. Mac Phillips

By Mercy Kambura

Nigerian Missionary

As a missionary to persecuted Christians and abducted girls in my country, I often find myself right in the eye of the persecution storm. I have escaped being killed several times, been mobbed about three times, and almost didn’t get out alive more times than I can count. When I see Christians persecuted, I know we are truly doing God’s work.

As a missionary kid, I’ve been around the Gospel since I was little. I went with my parents for missions for a few years and always heard people receiving Christ. After going out for many outreaches, I was seated with my Mom in the kitchen when I asked her, “How do people receive Christ in their hearts?”

She was shocked that I didn’t know this seemingly simple theological fact. She explained it to me like she had always done in her evangelism and prayed for me. That’s the day I became a Christian.

I have always wanted to be an evangelist like my Dad and Billy Graham. One night, while sleeping, I heard words in my heart. “Hark, the voice of Jesus calling, who will go and work today?” I didn’t even know it was a song. From that day, I committed to be a missionary all my life. I planted my first Church in 1997.

They have gone through a lot of trauma as some have witnessed their parents raped and slaughtered in front of them. The world is broken and in dire need of a Saviour. Christ is a holistic Saviour; we’re giving these girls and women the Gospel, food, and a place to stay.

Many missionaries are willing to put themselves on the line to save some people. A lot of discernment is needed in this work. We are reaching not only the persecuted but also the persecutors. Our fight is not against the persecutor but against the being behind the persecutor. The goal is not to get angry or fearful. If we give in to fear and anger, it takes away our mission.

After all He’s done for me, I can lay down my life for God. My love for my Muslim brothers and sisters is real, and God wants us to do this.

Sometimes I’m attacked and don’t think I’ll escape it. But I’m here today and I’ll do this as long as I live.