The advocate's hand reaching Asia (1 John 2)
Advocate’s Reach History
The Advocate’s hand reaching Asia (1 John 2: 1b,2).
ADVOCATE’S REACH was incorporated as a Washington State, 501 non-profit corporation on January 18, 1990, by Michael and Naomi Phillips, missionaries to Thailand. Michael was the chairman from its birth until 2014.
The Phillips serve in the area of Chiang Kham, Phayao, Thailand and are a one hundred percent faith driven ministry run on donations and gifts from churches and private donors.
The Phillips are members of and sent out by Parkview Mennonite Brethren Church in Hillsboro Kansas.
Michael Phillips, a 1988 graduate of Seattle Bible College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology, received the Lord Jesus as his personal savior, was baptized and ordained under the ministry of Pastor Darcy Haisley of Sisco Heights Community Church in Arlington Washington. He served there in different capacities during his Bible college days. He also worked as an artist and printer in the Philadelphia Church print shop. In addition, he has a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Kansas (1977). Michael traveled to Thailand for two six-week periods while attending Seattle Bible College, at which time he felt the Lord calling him to Thailand.
In his last year at SBC he married his helpmate, Naomi Cornish.
After graduation from Seattle Bible College, the Phillips worked with Grace Fellowship, under the direction of Pastor Warren Carlson of the Assemblies of God; and then helped to plant the Hope of Seattle, a Thai church plant under Dr. Varun Laohaprasit. It was in this setting that they began language studies and were introduced to Thai culture.
Naomi Phillips, the daughter of Dr. Paul Cornish (former Dean of Seattle Bible College), took nurses training, worked with Camp Berachah as camp nurse, and as an on call hospice nurse. She also helped Grace Fellowship and Hope of Seattle as Sunday School Director.
The Phillips moved to Thailand January 16, 1990 to work with Pastor Sawaeng Kusawadee of Prachuap, Kiri Khan. While they were there they studied the Thai language and adjusted to the customs and culture of the people.
After a year of language study, God led the Phillips to the city of Chiang Kham, Phayao approximately 20 kilometers from the Lao border.
In 1992 the Phillips, through God’s leading, birthed the Home of Refuge which was a home to protect young girls from being sold into prostitution. The goal of the home was to introduce the girls to a true relationship with Jesus Christ while offering educated in an effort to open opportunities for meaningful employment. The hostel had a cap of fifteen girls and since it’s birth has housed well over one hundred girls. It has had an approximate seventy-five percent salvation rate during the years of its existence. The home is still in operation but under different leadership.
In 1994 Michael birthed the Chiang Kham Bible Training Center. This is a program to help area Christian lay leaders get a basic understanding of the Bible with training on leadership that will help them to independently govern their local churches. It is also designed to encourage evangelism and multiplication of the churches based on 2 Timothy 2: 2 (And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also). This is done using a chronological study that is based on the basic doctrines of the Bible. Practical application is emphasised which has resulted in a church planting movement of about 25 registered churches and many small groups. Chiang Kham Bible Training Center, a two year program, is registered under a local Thai church in accordance to Thai law. All credits are transferable to schools of higher learning. In the recent years the training program has opened two daughter centers in northern Laos and are praying about a third. There is also a possibility of birthing a training program in northern Cambodia and Myanmar.
In 1997 the Phillips partnered with the CRF program under David Crist with an agricultural aspect of the ministry. David’s vision and role was to introduce a plan that would provide the Christian leaders with agricultural training. Through innovative methods crop production is increased with less effort allowing more time to fulfil the work of God. We have also seen the opportunity to reach many unbelievers as we have had students come for this training from all over Asia, including China. Although this program has had far reaching fruit it is on hold as we seek God’s direction. Local government programs with the same type of teaching are now readily available.
In 1998 the Phillips joined FARMS International, a rotating micro loan organisation. This organisation provides micro loans from approximately fifty to three hundred dollars per Christian family. Since the birth of this project FARMS has sent over eighty thousand dollars to Thailand. Four hundred plus families have taken advantage of this program and have been very successful results. Through this program the poor are giving an opportunity to develop a workable business plan, receive training in various areas and learn the blessing of Christian stewardship through tithing to their local church. In 2013 we extended this program into Laos and are now considering Cambodia.
In February of 1998 Michael was voted in as Chairman of the American Churches of Christ Mission to Thailand. He faithfully served in this capacity until 2010. This work was birthed in 1949 and has supported many works in the north and across the surrounding borders. Michael and Naomi left the mission in 2012.
In 2007 the Phillips started the Chiang Kong River Basin Development Foundation, a social welfare foundation which has enabled them to work across borders more freely as God directs. The foundation is still in operation, Michael was in the role of chairman from its birth till 2017. At present Michael is still a board member.
Under this foundation is the Home of Blessing (birthed in 2000) which houses Hmong tribal boys enabling to them to attend school while receiving Christian influence from the house parents.
In 2015 Caleb, one of Michael and Naomi’s sons returned to Thailand to join them. Caleb met his now wife, Cayleigh in 2016 and after they married in 2017 she joined us in the ministry as well. Caleb and Cayleigh's desire is to carry on the current ministries as well as bringing in their God given passions and aspects including sustainable agriculture and creation care.
At present God has brought back the blessing of the art as the Phillips make in-roads into a new international art community in Chaing Rai, 100 km to the north. Joining the Art Bridge, a new gallery with international acclaim, has opened up many opportunities for personal evangelism.
The future is very exciting!
Michael and Naomi have five children: Sarah, Aaron, Levi, Caleb, and Matthew.
ADVOCATE’S REACH is a faith venture supported by churches and individuals. Tax-deductible donations may be sent to:
ADVOCATE’S REACH
P.O. Box 162
Hillsboro, Kansas, 67063
Personal letters are encouraged and may be sent to:
MICHAEL & NAOMI PHILLIPS
P.O. BOX 42
CHIANG KHAM, PHAYAO
THAILAND 56110
Email: salt4asia@gmail.com
The ADVOCATE’S REACH Board of Directors include:
Dick Tippen ..............................President
Ken Fast ....................................Vice-President
Wilmer Theisson...................... Secretary
Joel Soo Hoo..............................Treasurer
Tanner Lacy ...............................Board Member
1 John 2: 1b,2 “And if anyone sins, we have an ADVOCATE with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but for the whole world.”