A Note from Pastor Phil
As Bonnie and I transition from our role in church leadership, we know that our hearts are far from retiring from ministry. Over the years, God has given us a deep love for people, missions, and evangelism, and that passion continues to burn brightly. We believe this next chapter of our lives is an opportunity to invest even more in encouraging missionaries, equipping churches to embrace global missions, and leading others to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. There is a growing need for churches to reawaken their vision for sending and supporting missionaries, and we feel called to help bridge that gap. We also recognize the struggles missionaries face on the field and want to come alongside them with prayer, encouragement, and practical support. Thank you for considering partnering with us to reignite a passion for missions and help us make a lasting impact on God's kingdom. Together, we can see lives changed and the gospel advanced around the world.
Phil has a simple passion which easily translates into his goals: inspiring churches and encouraging missionaries.
Igniting Passion for Missions
After decades of faithful service in the pastorate and as missionaries in Peru, Phil and Bonnie Winfield are embarking on a new chapter of ministry. Their passion for missions and years of experience uniquely equips them to inspire churches to embrace global missions and support missionaries on the field. As global mission support partners with Global Faith Mission, they aim to encourage missionaries and equip churches to collaborate effectively for world evangelism. Phil and Bonnie's journey in ministry has been deeply rooted in both education and hands-on experience. Phil earned his bachelor's degree, followed by a Master of Divinity. Their ministry experience includes years of service in pastoral roles in Maryland and Iowa, during which they played a vital role in growing congregations significantly. From 1989 to 2001, they served as missionaries in Peru, focusing on disciple-making, church planting, seminary instruction, mentoring national pastors, and hosting evangelistic campaigns. From 2001 until 2024, Phil served as Senior Pastor at Grace Church in Iowa.
The Vision
Phil and Bonnie believe there is a critical need to reignite a passion for global missions in churches and to support missionaries facing unique challenges on the field. Their mission has two primary goals. First, they seek to equip and encourage churches by fanning the flame for cross-cultural missions. They aim to assist churches in developing and enhancing their missionary programs, offering strategies to improve communication with missionaries, and encouraging active engagement with missions.
How You Can Help
As Phil and Bonnie step into this new chapter of ministry, they appreciate your prayers. Please pray for wisdom, strength, and open doors as they work to encourage missionaries and inspire churches to reignite their passion for global missions.
Consider how the Lord might lead you to support the Winfields— through prayer, financial partnership, or by sharing their vision with others. Your support will enable them to continue making an eternal impact, equipping others to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. Together, we can make a difference for His kingdom.
Phil and Bonnie need your partnership to make this vision a reality. They have a desire to refresh and encourage missionaries and pastors as they collaborate in obeying the Great Commission. They want to help churches answer the call to send, sustain, and communicate with missionaries and to be a resource and help for the missionaries themselves in their field of service.
The Barnabas Initatiative
The Barnabas Initiative Project Fund will help cover the cost of technology and traveling to churches, especially to visit missionaries on location in a way that does not burden the missionary financially. The foreign travel may be for simple encouragement or evangelism campaigns, seminars, workshops, or group mission trips. Many great missionaries can use someone with a Barnabas spirit of encouragement to engage with them. Thanks for your consideration. Acts 4.36; 9.26-27
To contact Phil about visiting your church, call him at (515) 205-1129 or email him at pwinfield@globalfaith.net. To support Phil and Bonnie financially, click here.
Testimonials
Pastor Shawn Barr, Grace Fellowship Church
Pastor Shawn Barr, Grace Fellowship Church
Pastor Shawn Barr, Grace Fellowship Church
I recommend Phil and Bonnie Winfield to you as a missionary couple to support. I have known Phil and Bonnie for 35+ years. During my time of acquaintance with Phil, he has been a successful associate pastor, missionary to Peru, and a senior pastor. In all these positions, he has maintained a focus on the furtherance of the gospel. The churches or ministries of which he has been a part have always flourished. I am most recently familiar with him in our partnership to plant a church on the East side of Des Moines under the umbrella of Grace Church, of which he was the Senior Pastor. He led his church in the vision for this project, rolling up his sleeves and doing physical work on the building. Phil's wife, Bonnie, partners with him in all his ministry endeavors. She is a Gospel-focused person and disciples those she has won to Christ. In Phil's own words, he "has accomplished what the Lord has called him to because of his wife." I am excited about his new endeavor of being a "Barnabas" to other missionaries, helping churches with their mission programs, and recruiting new missionaries. In my 28 years as a pastor, I've seen the great struggles a missionary has when they hit their field. I've seen many missionaries do well and last for many years. I've also seen many become discouraged and leave the field within a few years. Phil, in his new role, could really help existing missionaries through his mentoring and encouragement plan. Phil is one of the hardest-working pastors I've ever met, and he truly has boundless energy and vision. Our church is excited to partner with him and his wife in this new endeavor, and I think you will see the eternal benefit of supporting them as well. If you have any questions, I'm available to talk about Phil and his work.
Pastor David Nelms, Founder of TTI
Pastor Shawn Barr, Grace Fellowship Church
Pastor Shawn Barr, Grace Fellowship Church
It would be impossible for me to recommend anyone more highly than Phil Winfield. I have known Phil for decades. He is the real thing. He loves God deeply, is a devoted husband, dad, and granddad, and is faithful as the day is long. Phil is honest and honorable, trustworthy, and diligent, and his word is solid. Phil believes the Bible is from above; he preaches and teaches it, and he lives it. Phil would sooner die than to knowingly dishonor his Lord Jesus Christ. And then, there's Phil, the missionary! With years of experience in the 'Field,' Phil is, if anything, a missiological expert. He understands cross-cultural ministry, blesses other missionaries, is a disciple-maker, and passionately encourages Christ's followers to get devotedly serious about obeying the Great Commission! Phil knows how to 'light a fire,' a 'Let's advance His Kingdom and do our part to finish the Great Commission' fire! Finally, Phil is my friend. I trust him. Once you get to know him, you will too. And you will be better for having him in your life!